Response of Broiler Birds to Different Colours of the Same Feed

Abstract

A 56 days feeding trial was conducted using 360 unsexed day old cobb breed of broiler birds fed red, blue and green coloured feeds with the plain feed as control in a completely randomized design. Each of the dietary treatments was further replicated three times with 30 birds per replicate and a total of 90 birds/treatment. Routine vaccinations and medication typical of broilers were strictly adhered to. The initial weights, final weights, change in weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kg, feed cost/kg weight gain and mortality were measured. Results showed significant differences (p<0.05) for all the parameters studied in the starter phase with the exception of the feed conversion ratio while all the parameters studied in the finisher stage outside the mortality % differed significantly (p<0.05) between treatment means. Red coloured feed improved performance in terms of feed conversion ratio, dressed weight, dressed percentage and feed cost/kg weight gain when compared to the control, green and blue coloured feeds.