Broiler Production S.B.a - Agricultural Science
Broiler Production S.B.a - Agricultural Science
Broiler Production S.B.a - Agricultural Science
STEPHEN’S COLLEGE
Title of Project: The Effect of Stocking density on Broiler Production at St. Stephens College Trinidad
& Tobago
Topics Pages
Introduction 2
Methodology 3-5
Broiler Production Activities 6-9
Results 10-13
Graphs 14-15
Discussion 16-19
Conclusion 20
Recommendations 21
References 22
Cost Analysis 23-28
Broiler Production Activities – Pictures 29
Background Information:
The ‘Gallus Gallus Domesticus’ or commonly referred to as ‘Broilers,’ is a type of chicken that is
reared specifically to produce meat for consumption. Due to this bird’s high feed conversion ratio, low
levels of activity and fast growth rates, the Broiler has become a popular choice of livestock amongst
farmers in the Caribbean. Some common breeds which are reared throughout the Caribbean include: the
Vantress Cross, the Peterson, and the Shaver. Typically, Broilers are reared for four to six weeks until
they obtain a weight of about two kilograms, before being slaughtered. Besides being a valuable
agricultural enterprise, which supplies farmers with substantial amounts of revenue on a commercial
scale, Broilers provide a great source of protein, and supplies the human body with nutrients such as
iodine, iron, zinc, B-12 vitamins, and essential fatty acids. In this experiment, the effects of Stocking
Problem Statement: At St. Stephen’s College, the effects of Stocking Density on Broiler growth and
Hypothesis: The Broilers present in the pen with a lower Stocking Density will have a greater weight.
Aim: To investigate the effects of Stocking Density on Broiler growth and weight gain at St. Stephen’s
College.
Materials Apparatus
Disinfectant Buckets
Feed Scoop
Garden Hose
Broom
2 - Barrels
Chicken Wire
Sharp Knife
Outdoor Stove
Plucking Machine
1) Fifty chicks were brooded for 2 weeks in one pen which provided 225 𝑐𝑚! per chick.
for each pen. One pen was labelled ‘Treated Pen’, and the other was labelled ‘Controlled Pen.’
3) Three waterers and one feeder were placed in each pen to occupy an area of 0.36 𝑚! leaving an
4) Thirty birds were placed in the ‘Treated Pen’ and twenty birds were placed in the ‘Controlled
Pen.’
5) The Stocking Density for the ‘Controlled Pen’ was 12 birds per 𝑚! and the Stocking Density for
1) Average Weight: Upon the commencement of the experiment the chicks were weighed. The
Average Weight was calculated by weighing 3 birds from each pen, every week. The three
values were added up and then divided by three to calculate the weekly Average Weight
2) Average Feed Consumption per bird per week: The mass (g) of feed given to each pen, for every
week was recorded. The mass of the feed that remained at the end of every week for each pen
was also recorded. The Average Feed Consumption was calculated by subtracting the mass of
feed that remained weekly from the mass of the feed given to a specific pen weekly and then
dividing the result by the number of birds present in the respective pens.
3) Feed Conversion Ratio: The Feed Conversion Ratio was calculated using the following formula:
!""#$% '""( )*+,#" (.)
𝐹𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 =
!""#$% !").0+ .,)* (.)
4) Broiler Mortality: The Broiler Mortality was determined by counting the number of Broiler birds
2. The bird was placed under a bucket with its neck and head exposed.
3. The jugular vein of the bird which is in the neck was cut using a sharp knife and the bird would
4. Scalding can now take place. The carcass of the bird was placed in a bucket of water at a
temperature of 60°C for one minute. Immediately after the feathers were removed in a plucking
machine.
5. The head and the neck were removed to allow the loosening up of the internal organs in the
upper cavity.
6. A cut was made all around the vent area to allow the removal of the offals. When the offals are
removed, the heart, liver, gizzard, and neck are separated and cleaned.
7. The bird carcass was then washed, and the heart, liver, gizzard, and neck were stuffed back into
the vent opening. The bird was packaged in a polythene bag and sent out to be sold or frozen.
1. The Brooder was mended and fenced to prevent the entry of predators and 225𝑐𝑚! was allowed
2. A footbath containing disinfectant was placed at the entrance of the brooder to prevent the
transfer of diseases.
3. The Brooder was sanitised two to three days prior to the arrival of the chicks.
4. Five to Seven inches of litter was placed over the concrete floor of the brooder to absorb
5. Sheets of newspaper were spread over the litter for the introduction of feed from the mini
feeders.
6. Mini waterers and mini feeders were introduced into the brooder.
1. Any old saw dust that was present in the pen was removed.
2. The pen was washed out using water and it was sanitised.
4. A footbath containing disinfectant was placed at the entrance of the pen to prevent the transfer of
diseases.
5. Ten to Fifteen centimetres of sanitised litter was placed on the floor to absorb droppings and
moisture.
● Nutrition
1. From week 1 to week 4, the Broiler Birds were given Starter Ration.
2. From week 5, the Broiler Birds were given a mixed ration consisting of both Starter and Finisher
ration.
3. From week 6 to the remainder of the Broiler Birds lifetime, they were given Finisher Ration.
● Litter Management
1. The Material that was used for litter was Wood Shavings.
2. The litter in the pens and brooder was broken up with a garden rake.
3. The litter was combined and mixed to incorporate any moisture and droppings and keep the litter
dry.
4. Any wet litter was removed with a shovel and replaced with fresh dry litter.
1. The Broiler bird to be weighed was identified and using both hands the Broiler bird was captured
2. The Broiler bird was placed on the scale and the weight value was recorded.
Table 2. -Average Live Weight of Broiler Birds in Treated and Control Pens
3 625 g 850 g
4 1488 g 1725 g
5 1900 g 2066 g
6 3100 g 3600 g
Based on the results collected above, the average Live Weight of the Broiler birds in the Treated
Pen for weeks 3, 4, 5 and 6 were 625 g, 1488 g, 1900g and 3100g respectfully. In the Controlled Pen,
the average Live Weight of the Broiler Birds were 850 g, 1725 g, 2066 g, and 3600 g. The difference
between the average weight of the Treated and Controlled pens for week 3 was 225 g, in week 4 a
difference of 237 g, in week 5 a difference of 166 g and in week 6 a difference of 500 g. From the data
collected it can be determined that the Broiler birds in the Control Pen had a higher Average Live
3 417 g 575 g
4 1033 g 1125 g
5 1267 g 1280 g
6 1577 g 1763 g
Pen was 417 g for week 3, 1033 g for week 4, 1267 g for week 5 and 1577 g for week 6. In the
Controlled Pen, the Average Feed Consumption was 575 g for week 3, 1125 g for week 4, 1280 g for
week 5 and 1763 g for week 6. It was observed that the Controlled Pen had consumed a Total Average
Amount of Feed of 4743 grams, a 449 grams difference in feed when compared to the 4294 grams of
Table 4. -Feed Conversion Ratio of Broiler Birds in Treated and Control Pens
3 1.85 1.28
4 1.20 1.29
5 3.08 3.75
6 1.31 1.15
The Feed Conversion Ratio in the Treated Pen for weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6 were 1.85, 1.20, 3.08 and
1.31, respectively and the Average F.C.R. was calculated to be 1.86. In the Controlled Pen, for weeks 3,
4, 5, and 6 were 1.28, 1.29 3.75 and 1.15 the Average F.C.R. was found to be 1.87. It was observed that
the progress of the F.C.R.s were not constant as the values fluctuated throughout the 5th to 6th week
period. Furthermore, the F.C.R.s were generally the same as the Controlled Pen’s F.C.R. was only
3 30 20
4 30 20
5 30 20
6 28 19
The number of Broiler birds surviving in the Treated Pen for weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6 were 30, 30,
and 28 respectively. It can be observed that 2 birds died in the 6th week. The number of Broiler birds
surviving in the Controlled Pen for weeks 3, 4, 5, and 6 were 20, 20, 20 and 19. It can be observed that 1
bird died in week 6. Overall, the mortality rate in the Treated Pen is higher as 2 birds died in this pen as
Figure 1. - Average Live Weight of Broiler Birds in Treated and Control Pens
Figure 2.- Average Feed Consumption of Broiler Birds in Treated and Control Pens
Figure 4.- Feed Conversion Ratio of Broiler Birds in Treated and Control Pens
In the 6th week of this experiment, it was observed that the Broiler birds in the Treated Pen had
an Average Live Weight of 3100 grams, while the Broiler birds in the Controlled Pen had an Average
Live Weight of 3600 grams. It can be determined that the birds in the Controlled Pen with the lower
stocking density of 12 birds per 𝑚1 had an average live weight of 500 grams, more than the Treated Pen
with the higher stocking density of 18 birds per 𝑚1 , at the end of the 6th week. This observation may be
since there is little to no competition in the Controlled Pen with the lower stocking density due to the
larger space available to each bird. This allows the birds easier access to feed which may result in an
increase in weight, as compared to the Treated Pen with a higher stocking density and a higher
competition due to the smaller space available to each bird, which may have limited the amount of feed
consumed by each bird and hence decreased their potential weight gain. Similar results were acquired in
a study done by (Puron et al.,1995) in which birds reared at a lower stocking density of 10 birds per 𝑚1
had an average live weight of 2604 grams, a 440 grams difference in average live weight compared to
the 2164 grams of average live weight by birds reared at a higher stocking density of 20 birds per 𝑚1 .
In this experiment over a four-week period (weeks 3 to 6), it was observed that the Broiler birds
in the Treated Pen had consumed a total of 4294 grams of feed per bird, while in the Controlled Pen the
Broiler birds had consumed a total of 4743 grams of feed per bird. It can be calculated that every bird in
the Controlled Pen consumed on average 449 grams of feed more than each bird in the Treated Pen. This
may be due to the Controlled Pen’s stocking density of 12 birds per 𝑚1 , allowing the Broiler birds
unrestrained access to the feed due to the reduced levels of competition. This contrasts when compared
to the Treated Pen with a stocking density of 18 birds per 𝑚1 and higher levels of competition, which
may have resulted in reduced accessibility of food for each Broiler bird. These results were seen in a
similar study conducted by (Liu et al., 2021) in which birds reared at a lower stocking density of 15
birds per 𝑚1 consumed 53.48 g of daily average feed per bird , a 4.61g difference in the daily average
feed consumption per bird when compared to the 48.87g of daily average feed consumed per bird at a
higher stocking density of 35 birds per 𝑚1 . These trends can be justified by a study conducted on
‘Broiler Production at Different Stocking Densities,’ by (Puron et al., 1995), in which it was determined
In this experiment over a four-week period (weeks 3 to 6), it was determined that the Broiler
birds in the Treated Pen had an Average F.C.R. of 1.86 and the Broiler birds in the Controlled Pen had
an Average F.C.R. of 1.87. Though the Average F.C.R. of the Controlled Pen is higher than the Average
F.C.R. of the Treated Pen by 0.01 it can be deduced that both Average F.C.R.s are generally the same.
This similarity may be since the same breed of Broiler birds was used in both pens of the experiment
which may have influenced the F.C.R.s of the birds in both pens throughout the weeks and eventually
the Average F.C.R. at the end of the experiment. Similar results were acquired in a study done by
(Kenan, 2008) in which Broiler birds reared at a Stocking Density of 15 𝑚1 had an average Feed
Conversion Ratio of 1.62 and Broiler birds reared at a Stocking Density of 25 𝑚1 had an identical
average Feed Conversion Ratio of 1.62. In a separate study conducted by (Puron et al., 1995), F.C.R. is
In the 6th week of this experiment, it was observed that a total of 28 birds survived in the Treated
Pen out of the 30 pre-existing Broiler birds, while a total of 19 birds survived in the Controlled Pen out
of the 20 pre-existing Broiler birds. It can be deduced that two birds perished in the Treated Pen and one
bird perished in the Control Pen over the same four-week period. The difference in the deaths of the
broiler birds between the Treated and Control Pens may be attributed to increased levels of heat stress in
the Treated Pen due to a higher increased stocking density. This conclusion can be supported by a study
conducted by (Brossi et al., 2018) in which it was determined ‘The severity of heat stress results in a
higher number of deaths in broiler birds. The results obtained in this experiment is harmonious with the
results obtained in a similar study by (Turkyilmaz, 2008) in which Broiler birds reared at a stocking
density of 15 birds per 𝑚1 had a mortality rate of 6%, a significant difference when compared to the 12
% mortality rate amongst the Broiler birds reared at a stocking density of 25 birds per 𝑚1 .
To conclude it was determined that Stocking Density influences Broiler Weight Gain at St. Stephen’s
College. This was noted as the Broiler Birds reared in the Control Pen at a lower stocking density of 12
birds per metres squared had a higher Average Feed Consumption per bird and sustained a higher
Average Live Weight that the Broiler Birds reared in Treated pen with the higher stocking density of 18
birds per metres squared. Notwithstanding, it was also observed that the Broiler Birds in the Control Pen
had a similar F.C.R and Broiler Mortality Rate as the Broiler birds in the Control Pen. Therefore, it is
that reducing stocking density in pens can increase overall broiler production.
It is recommended that:
1. Broiler birds should be reared at a wider range of stocking densities to accurately determine the
right stocking density to rear Broiler birds at to achieve maximum profit.
2. Use different Broiler breeds in the experiment to determine if they affect Broiler Weight Gain.
3. Increase the number of trials of the experiment to eliminate errors and obtain accurate results.
Limitations
3. The Stocking Density values would have been affected due to birds dying in both Controlled and
Treated Pens.
Liu, Z. L., J. J. Xue, X. F. Huang, Y. Chen, Q. G. Wang, S. Zhang, and C. Wang. 2021. “Effect of
Stocking Density on Growth Performance, Feather Quality, Serum Hormone, and Intestinal
Development of Geese from 1 to 14 Days of Age.” Poultry Science 100 (11): 101417.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2021.101417.
Puron, Diego, Raul Santamaria, Jose C. Segura, and Jose L. Alamilla. 1995. “Broiler Performance at
Different Stocking Densities.” Journal of Applied Poultry Research 4 (1): 55–60.
https://doi.org/10.1093/japr/4.1.55.
TÜRKYILMAZ, MEHMET. 2008. “The Effect of Stocking Density on Stress Reaction in Broiler
Chickens during Summer.” Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences 32 (1): 31–36.
https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/vol32/iss1/6/.
Projected Income and Expenditure – This section contains the Projected Income and Expenditure
Statements.
Projected Income - Projected Income can be defined as an estimate of the financial results expected
from an enterprise in the future. In the table below, the Projected Income was calculated to be $ 1551.20.
20 Broiler birds weighing 54.4 kgs of live weight $ 23.00 per kg $ 1251.20
2.72 kg each
Broiler birds
Projected Expenditure - Projected Income can be defined as an estimation of the summation of the
total fixed and operating expenses for a specific enterprise. In the table below, the Project Expenditure
The Project Surplus / Loss was calculated using the following formula:
Actual Income and Expenditure – This section contains the Actual Income and Expenditure
Statements.
Actual Income – The term Actual Income refers to the revenue generated and received from the
production and marketing of an enterprise. In the table below, the Actual Income was calculated to be.
$ 1574.15.
19 Broiler birds weighing 56.05 kgs of live weight $ 23.00 per kg $ 1289.15
Broiler Birds
Actual Expenditure – The term Actual Expenditure refers to a real summation of the total fixed and
operating expenses for a specific enterprise. In the table below, the Actual Expenditure was calculated to
be $1310.00.
The Actual Surplus / Loss was calculated using the following formula:
Table 10.- Comparison of Projected and Actual Income, Expenditure and Profit
Income
In this experiment, the Projected Income was calculated to be $1551.20, and the Actual Income
was calculated to be $1574.15. It can be observed that the Actual Income gained deviated from the
Projected Income by a sum of + $ 22.95. This deviation or increase in Actual Income is mainly
attributed to the Broiler birds weighing more than they had been expected to at the end of the six-week
experiment. This increase in weight meant that each of the birds could be sold for more money due to
the increased units of production (Weight-kg) resulting in an increase in the Actual Income gained.
Expenditure
In this experiment, the Projected Expenditure was calculated to be $1310.00, and the Actual
Expenditure was determined to be $1310.00. It is observable that the Actual Expenditure did not deviate
or change from the Projected Expenditure initially established resulting in a difference of $00.00 when
both the Actual and Projected Incomes were compared. This balanced Expenditure results, as no further
items were purchased and used during the duration of the experiment and therefore no further cost or
In this experiment, the Projected Profit was calculated to be $241.20, and the Actual Profit was
determined to be $264.15. It can be observed that the Actual Profit deviated from the Projected Profit by
a total of + $22.95. Profit is usually given in the form Income – Expenditure and as a result this course
of deviation or difference resulted as there was an increase in the Actual Income whilst the Actual
Expenditure Remained constant and equal to the Projected Expenditure. This increase in the Actual
Income proceeded as the number of units of weight produced by the broiler birds experienced an
increase. This resulted in a higher Actual Income and hence produced a higher Actual Profit after the
Conclusion
It can be concluded that rearing Broiler birds at St. Stephen’s College, was a profitable enterprise as a