Effects of an enhanced feeding model on productivity and sustainability of broilers and hybrid chickens under Egyptian small-scale family systems
Reda El-Sayed Hamouda, Islam M. Youssef, Hassan Bayoumi Gharib, M. A. Elmenawey, M. Youssif, Moustafa A. Osman, Yasmen A. Abdelaziz, Hassan A. Rudayni, Ahmed A. Allam, Abdullah S. Alawam, Asmaa F. Khafaga, Mohamed E. Abd El‐Hack, Amal Abdel-Halim
Abstract
• An enhanced feeding model improved the growth performance of broilers and hybrid chicks under family-based systems. • Feed conversion ratio and body weight gain were significantly improved compared with conventional feeding. • The model demonstrated adaptability to local resources in small-scale Egyptian poultry production. • Nutritional interventions can strengthen rural food security and promote production sustainability. Small-scale family poultry systems, which are prevalent in Egyptian rural areas, serve as a critical source of income and nutrition for many households. These systems are characterized by low input that relies on local resources and traditional feeding practices. So, this study was conducted to assess the performance of broiler and hybrid chickens under small-scale systems in Egyptian rural areas, by utilizing alternative balanced feeds from reasonably priced and readily available feed sources in place of traditional feeds that are dependent on household food waste and certain grains. A total of 3200 one-day-old chicks were distributed among two studies. 1600 chicks Ross 308 in 1st study and 1600 chicks Gimmizah hybrid in 2nd study), and each study were divided into two groups of 800 each. Eight households (as eight replicates) made up the first group, which served as a control group and raised 100 chicks each using traditional feeding practices. The second group included eight households (eight replicates), all of which used the enhanced feeding model and raised 100 chicks at each household. The results showed that, in Ross 308, the final live body weight (LBW) was higher in the enhanced feeding model (2500.27 g) compared to 1700.92 g in traditional practice. The daily and total feed intake (FI) were lower in the enhanced feeding model (119.59 and 5381.76 g, respectively), compared to 213.56 and 9610.32 g in the traditional feeding practice. In the Gimmizah hybrid, the final LBW increased from 2178.12 g in traditional feeding practices to 2710.97 g in the enhanced feed model. The daily and total FI were lower in the enhanced feeding model (101.43 and 7100.14 g, respectively), compared to (166.55 and 11658.34 g, respectively) in the traditional feeding practice. In conclusion, the enhanced feeding model had a significant impact on the production performance, carcass parameters, and economic efficiency of Ross 308 and Gimmizah hybrid chickens under Egyptian rural family small-scale conditions.