Performance of Male Laying Hens Reared in Pastured-Based System with Different Stocking Density

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the effect of stocking density on the performance of male laying hens reared with the pastured based system. One hundred and forty seven male laying hens strain Lohman brown age 14 days old put in 21 of 1m x 1m cage according to the treatment. The treatment used was stocking density consisting of K1: 5 bird/m2, K2: 7 bird/m2, K3: 9 bird/m2. The design used in this study was a Randomized Block Design (RAK). Parameters observed in the study were ration consumption (g/head/day), final weight (g/head), feed conversion and mortality (%). The results showed that the stocking density had a significant effect (P<0.05) on consumption, final weight and feed conversion but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the mortality rate.