Effect of Intensive v. Semi-intensive Rearing and of a Vitamin-Mineral Premix on Chickens Fed a Ration Growth in Papua New Guinea.

Abstract

A factorial experiment with 300 Australorp and Rhode Island Red chickens from 5 to 10 weeks old is described. There were six duplicated treatments-two management types, intensive and semi-intensive, each with one of three diets all with approximately 18 per cent crude protein. The diets were a control containing imported ingredients and two diets based on locally grown sorghum, soybean and peanut either with or without a vitamin-mineral supplement. The locally grown diet without vitamins and minerals supported poor growth and efficiency under intensive management. Semi-intensive management caused a slight improvement only. The vitamin mineral supplement improved performance on this diet almost to the level obtained on the control diet. It is recommended, when a ration composed of locally grown ingredients is fed, that this be supplemented with a vitamin-mineral premix and that management be of the intensive deep litter type.