Status of broiler breeder stocks in Abbottabad and Mansehra [Pakistan]

Data on 52 broiler breeder farms located in Abbottabad and Mansehra districts of NWFP were collected during the year 1998-99 to investigate production performance of broiler breeding stocks, total cost of production, returns and net profit per bird. Average flock size was 26245 plus minus 4774.6 birds with a coefficient of variation of 122.7%. Number of females and males in a flock at the time of production were 20631 plus minus 4284 and 2386 plus minus 444.4 birds, respectively. Ratio of males to females in a flock was 1:8.65. Reserved male stock for the flock was 1102 plus minus 325 number (5.34% of the total female population), suggesting a sex error of 0.34 plus minus 1.34%. Mortality in a flock was 8.81 plus minus 0.75% representing 4.68 plus minus 0.43% mortality during early stages (brooding, and growing) and 4.13 plus minus 0.47% during production period. Flock size (r=0.215), number of females (r=0.273), and males in a flock (r=0.296) and per cent mortality (r=0.443) were found significantly (p less than 0.01) correlated with cost of production. Similarly, Flock size (r=0.109), number of females (r=0.326), and males in a flock (r=-0.116) and per cent mortality (r=- 0.13) were found significantly (p less than 0.01) correlated with net profit. Depth of bedding material used was 3.8 plus minus 0.14 inches. Per hen housed egg production was 188 plus minus 0.56 eggs representing 165 plus minus 0.37 (88 plus minus 0.23%) hatchable and 23 plus minus 0.21 (14 plus minus 0.18%) unhatchable eggs. Average feed consumption per broiler breeder during 65 weeks period was 61 plus minus 0.29 kg, representing 2.4 plus minus 0.35, 8.23 plus minus 0.28 and 50.22 plus minus 0.43 kg starter, grower and breeder rations, respectively. Mean total cost of production, gross returns and net profit per broiler breeder were Rs. 739 plus minus 9.86, Rs. 1525 plus minus 61 and Rs. 786 plus minus 49.8, respectively. Net profit over the invested capital was 106 plus minus 7.34%. Significantly higher (p less than 0.05) cost of production (Rs. 774 plus minus 14.4), and smaller net profit (Rs. 716 plus minus 72.98) was found for flock owners purchasing feed from the market than those preparing their own feed (Rs. 703 plus minus 13.7, and Rs. 856 plus minus 57.82, respectively). Similarly, higher (p less than 0.05) cost of production (Rs. 746 plus minus 60.53) and lower net profit per broiler breeder (Rs. 758 plus minus 58.1) was found in flocks when mortality was greater than 15% than in flocks when mortality was less than or equal to 5% ((Rs. 730 plus minus 16.01, and Rs. 808 plus minus 19.34, respectively). Cost of production (Rs. 735 plus minus 29.08), and net profit (Rs. 781 plus minus 48.65) was found to be minimum for starbro breed and maximum for Hubbard (Rs. 741 plus minus 15.44, 791 plus minus 27.20, respectively). Significantly higher (p less than 0.05) cost of production (Rs. 759 plus minus 28.34), and smaller net profit (Rs. 758 plus minus 37.75) was found for flocks maintaining a male to female ratio of 1:8 than for those maintaining a ratio of 1:15 (Rs. 717 plus minus 29.76, and Rs. 818 plus minus 35.25 respectively). Reduction in mortality, a standard male to female ratio, rearing hubbard breed and preparation of feed by the owners their-self were suggested as key factors for improving production performance of breeder stocks in Mansehra and Abbottabad.