Studies on the effect of litter type on some behavioral patterns and performance in broilers

ABSTRACT

One hundred and twenty broiler chicks of 10-days old were in the current study. Birds classified into 3 equal groups, each of 40 broiler chicks. One group was allocated on a traditional poultry litter of wheat straw and used as a control. The second was allocated on an earthy floor litter, and the third group on a sawdust litter. For each group ingestive behavior, rest, play, sleeping and comfort behavior patterns were recorded for 3 days/week. Productive performance in the form of feed consumption [kg], mean body weight [kg] were recorded for each group. Hygienic quality of the litter [pH value, moisture content, total bacterial count [T.B.C.], total coliform count [T.C.C.] and total mold and yeast count were estimated. Obtained results revealed significant differences [P <0.01] in ingestive behavior, and comfort activities [scratching of the head, dustbathing] between birds in the 3 groups. Preening, W/L stretch wing flap were more frequent in birds permitted the earthy floor litter. The final body weights increased in birds on earthy floor litter than those of wheat straw and saw dust litters. Moisture content, T.B.C., T.C.C. and yeast count significantly increased [P <0.01] in saw dust litter and the earthy floor litter represent the most comfortable and hygienic of the three tested litter types