Effect of Outdoor and Pasture Foraging Accessibility on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Noiler Birds

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to determine the effect of outdoor and pasture foraging accessibility on performance responses and carcass characteristics of Noiler birds. A total number of 320 Noiler birds were divided into 5 treatments and each treatment was replicated 4 times with 16 birds per replicate. At the end of the brooding phase (2 weeks), the birds were placed in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (outdoor durations and pasture accessibility were considered as factors) in a completely randomised design (CRD). T1 serves as control (indoor), T2 4 hours outdoor accessibility, 8 hours outdoor, 4 hours outdoor plus pasture foraging and 8 hours outdoor plus pasture foraging for T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. The data obtained in this study were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) where means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) of the Statistical Analysis Software package (SAS). The birds in T2 had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight; similarly, higher (P<0.05) weight gain were observed in birds reared in T2. The result revealed that there are no significant (P>0.05) differences in both carcass and visceral weight proportion across all the treatments. However, considerable numerical variations exist. Higher dress weight was observed in T3 (70.333%) followed by T5, T2, T4 and T1 with 67.853, 67.372, 63.901 and 59.888% respectively. The result however, suggests non-significant (P>0.05) differences in initial weight, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kilogram diet. It is therefore concluded that outdoor and pasture foraging has a profound effect on the performance profile of Noiler birds. It is therefore recommended for enhanced body weight and weight gain birds should also be enriched with pasture foraging material and at least 4 hours outdoor accessibility.