Growth Performance of Finisher Broilers Fed with Ration Containing Potato (Solanum tuberosum) Meal as Partial Substitute to Corn

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the feed intake, growth rate and efficiency of feed utilization of broilers fed with finisher ration formulated with different levels of potato meal as partial substitute to corn. This was conducted at the Benguet State University Poultry Experimental Farm from September to October 2013. Following the Completely Randomized Design (CRD), 120 heads of 30-day old birds were distributed using three treatments as follows: 0% potato meal (T0); 10% potato meal (T1); and 20% potato meal (T2). The average initial weight of birds taken at 30 days of age was 1.29 kg. The average daily feed intake across the treatments was 0.15 grams. Differences were observed in average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Birds given ration containing 0% and 10% potato meal had higher average daily gains in weight of 0.05 and 0.06 kg, respectively, compared to birds given ration containing 20% potato meal with an average daily weight gain of 0.04 kg. Birds given ration containing 0% and 10% potato meal had better feed conversion ratios of 2.93 and 2.66, respectively, compared to birds given ration containing 20% potato meal with average feed conversion ratio of 3.35 kg. Results of the study showed that 10% rations containing potato meal can be included in the finishing rations for broilers.