journal of renewable natural resources bhutan - Ministry of Agriculture

stocking density (0.09 sq ft/bird) between two groups of birds.According to Dawkins et al. (2004), good housing conditions such asgood air quality and ventilation, and litter quality, are more importantto good physical health and minimization of mortality than stockingdensity itself. Both groups had good housing conditions includingideal stocking density to ensure the welfare of birds.FeedAnalysis andAflatoxin DeterminationFeeds were analyzed at Soil and Plant Analytical Laboratory (SPAL),Semtokha. The samples were divided into two parts, one for moisturecontent determination and other for analyzing nutrient content of feeds.The difference between initial and final weight of samples after havingdried in the hot oven for 24 hours provided moisture content. The otherpart was used for determining nutrient content using Near Infra Redsystem (SFOSS NIR System Model 5000-M SLno S/N7362).The feeds were also examined at the National Centre forAnimal Health(NCAH) laboratory, Serbithang, Thimphu, determine the presence ofaflatoxin, which is a metabolite of the fungus Aspergillus flavus.Feeding and Watering RegimeKarma Nidup & Pema WangchukThe birds in both categories of feed were fed ad libitum and clean waterwas made available throughout 24 hours. Cheeke (1999) has suggestedfeed starter diet for three weeks. However, in this study, starter diet wasfed for 24 days after which they were provided with mixture of starterththand finisher in a ratio of 75% to 25% on 25 day, 50% to 50% on 26ththDay, 25% to 75% on 27 Day, and 100% finisher by 28 Day. The ideabehind this approach was to minimize stress in growing chicks due tochange in feed and acclimatize them to finisher feed. Similar system offeeding regime is followed in Wangchuktaba broiler farm. The feedersused were combination of trough type aluminum line feeders andround hanging type feeders. The equipments used for watering wasplastic circular waterers and locally made earthen pot fountain drinkers.Care was taken to minimize the wastage of feeds.14