Assessing the performance of broiler day old chicks from day one to week six on selected farms in Wakiso district Uganda

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the performance of broiler day old chicks from day one to week six on selected farms in Wakiso district and to document broiler management practices done by the farmers in the district, to establish the percentage weight gain at time of sale of the broilers and to determine the mortality, rate up to time of sale on selected farms. Random sampling method was used to select the poultry farms and respondents in the study and a total of 20 farms were sampled from Wakiso district. The results showed that (85%) of the farms visited farmers reared their broilers under the deep litter system. (85%) of the poultry farmers practiced the all in-all out broiler rearing system. (65%) of the respondents’ farms separated their birds by age. 65% of the respondents used brooding pots as their main heat source during brooding. 80% of the farms mix feeds for their birds. 65% of the poultry famers give marsh feed as their main feed structure. 70% of the respondents keep all types of records on their farms. 92%was the percentage weight gain overall at time of sale of the broilers on the selected farms in Wakiso district. The mortality rates ranged between 5%-40%. The study showed that, the performance of broiler day old chicks was fairly good. Therefore, it was recommended that, farmers always attend workshops and exhibitions where they can go and learn more on how to maintain the good performance of their broilers and also to acquire new skills.