The effect of varying levels of salt and sugar mixed with litter materials on the growth performance of Cobb-Vantress broilers and on the reduction of odor and fly infestation

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of salt and sugar mixed with litter materials on the growth of broilers and on the reduction of odor and fly infestation. Treatments were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) replicated thrice. Determination of the presence of odor and flies was done by a panel of evaluators two weeks after the birds were introduced in the pen and two days before the study was terminated. Results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) on the feed consumption, liveweight gain, dressing percentage, feed efficiency and water consumption of broilers on different levels of salt and sugar mixed with sawdust. The treatment with sawdust had the lowest (P<0.05) organic and moisture content but had the highest mineral matter in their feces. Furthermore, treatments with litter had no odor to undistinguishable odor with zero to less than 10 flies present as detected by the majority of the evaluators on both periods of evaluation. Most of the evaluators reported that pens without litter had recognizable to very distinct and annoying odor with significant number of flies present. Relatively, the use of pure sawdust gave a higher profit of P74.97 attributed to the production of potting materials out of the litter.