A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COBB 500 AND HUBBARD CLASSIC BROILER STRAINS UNDER FARM CONDITION

Abstract

The performance and profitability of two commercial broiler strains reared under farming system were investigated in this study. Day-old broiler chicks (n=60) of two different commercial strains (Hubbard classic and Cobb 500) were assigned into two treatment groups. The birds were reared from day one in 35 days of age with similar housing, feeding and managemental condition. Regarding to all parameters collected, live weight and body weight gain were significantly (p<0.01) higher in Cobb 500 than that of Hubbard Classic. Feed intake and FCR was higher (p<0.01) in Cobb 500 than Hubbard classic group, livability also higher in Hubbard classic strain than that of Cobb 500 broiler strain. Higher net profit and lower production cost observed in Cobb 500 group than that of Hubbard classic strain, although the differences between the treatment groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In conclusion, Cobb 500 broiler strain is appeared to be the most economic to rear between the two broiler strains investigated here in response to their performance records.