Effect of Potable Cage Rearing System and Stocking Density on Growth, Feed Intake and Carcass Characteristics of Ross 308 Broiler Chickens

Broiler chickens raised in cages and on the floor were compared. Portable cages and floor pens were used to test viability of potable cage rearing system and consequent chicken performance. Floor pens were also constructed to have the same dimensions as the cages with the width and length of 0.70m and 1.35m, respectively. Twenty-four cages and 24 floor pens were stocked with chickens at spacing of 0.08, 0.06 and 0.05m2 per chickens per cage/pen. Feed intake (FI) and growth of the chickens were recorded. Live body weight (LBW) of chickens differed within both rearing system and stocking density (p < 0.05). FI was not affected by rearing system but differed within stocking densities. FCR was different across rearing system and stocking density. Viscera of chickens in floor pens were 20.9g heavier than those of chickens in cages. Hearts of chickens in cages were 1.5g heavier than those of chickens in pens. Chickens in pens had more body fat. Stocking density of 0.06m2/chicken was found to be ideal and overall performance of chickens was not negatively affected. Cage rearing of broilers may be a good way of reducing costs and ensuring food security and improving nutrition.