Abstract
The litter is an aspect of great importance for poultry production because it affects both birds's performance and carcass characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate performance and carcass and viscera yields of broilers raised on different materials of poultry litter. In the experiment, we used 192 chicks of Ag Ross strain, from 10 days of age, distributed into 16 experimental units, with 12 birds each plot. Treatments consisted of four bedding materials (wood shavings, dry elephant grass, rice husk and sand), with four replicates each. At 42 days of age, birds were weighed, slaughtered and eviscerated. Then, we calculated the parameters of weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, viability, carcass and viscera yield (heart, gizzard and liver). Among the bedding materials tested, there were no significant differences in parameters; however, weight gain of birds reared on sand was significantly higher compared to birds reared on dry elephant grass bed. In conclusion, wood shavings, rice husk, dry elephant grass, and sand may be used as litter material for broilers without affecting the productive performance and the yield of carcass and edible offal.
Keywords:
carcass yield; chicken; poultry litter; sand; weight