Modification and comparative evaluation of the existing and modified hay-box brooder in Mecha woreda of Amhara region, Ethiopia

Yeshambel Mekuriaw, R P Moudgal and Tilahun Seyoum

Alemaya University, PO Box 138 Alemaya, Ethiopia
Yeshambel16@yahoo.com

Abstract

In an experiment, 200 White Leghorn chicks were used to study the comparative performance of the existing hay-box (T2), and modified hay-boxes consisting of turmeric powder encircled, hay sealed in polythene bag (T3), Turmeric encircled, hot water Jericans (T4) and turmeric powder encircled, hay sealed in polythene bag plus hot water Jerican (T5), and electric brooder (T1) as positive control. 

Turmeric powder  was found to be effective in controlling the ant problem associated with hay-box chick brooding technology. The groups assigned to electric brooder and subjected to appetite feeding were significantly better than all the others in feed consumption and body weight gain (p<0.01), followed by the groups assigned to modified hay-box brooders containing hot water Jericans. The groups assigned to electric brooder and modified hay-box brooders containing hot water Jericans were also significantly better than the other two treatment groups in feed conversion efficiency. There was no significant difference between the existing and modified hay-box treatment groups in rate of mortality. Weight of liver and adrenals were significantly lower for the groups assigned to electric brooder and modified hay-box brooder with hot water Jerican.

The results of this study indicate that the modified hay-box brooder with hot water was superior to the existing hay-box brooder in chick brooding performance.

Key words: Chicks, hay-box brooder, turmeric powder, White Leghorn

Introduction

About 60 % of the chicks hatched in the rural area of Ethiopia die during the first eight weeks of their life (Tadelle and Ogle 2001). Hay-box brooding technology, developed at Jimma College of Agriculture, seems to hold promise in bridging this gap to some extent. The technology makes use of cheap and locally available materials. It deals with insulation and conservation of the metabolic heat of the chicks, to keep them warm. The use of hay-box brooder also has the advantage of providing protection against predators and reduced risk of exposure to disease through confinement.

Abnormally high chick mortality (up to 40%) was recorded during the long rainy season ranging between the month of May and September. Another drawback is external parasites, which tends to pile up in the fibrous, bulky and dry organic substances used as insulation materials for heat conservation. These materials and the top covering sack could harbor lice, mites and bed bugs. Heavy infestations encountered under rural household conditions, resulted in stunted and retarded growth of baby chicks. Ants also could easily attack the technology, which may result in total losses (Solomon 1999), indicating the urgent need to improve the existing hay-box chick brooding technology.

Objectives

• To conduct a survey assessing the shortcomings of the existing hay-box chick brooding technology

• To modify the existing hay-box chick brooding technology based on the results of the survey.

• To evaluate the existing and modified hay-box chick brooding technologies under local conditions.

The survey

Materials and methods

Associations, out of which 6 peasant associations namely, Enamirt, Bachma, Enguti, Enashenfalen, Ambomesk and Kudmi based on the participation of the hay-box brooder as per the information obtained from the wereda bureau of Agriculture were selected. These peasant associations were selected purposely.

Sixty-six farmers containing of 21 from Enamirt, 8 from Bachma, 9 from Kudmi, 8 from Ambomesk, 10 from Enguti and 10 from Enashenfalen were earmarked for this study. These farmers were selected purposely and interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire, which was developed to collect data on the situation of hay-box brooder, whether seasons affect the brooder, or not, for how long (brooding periods) the farmers use the hay-box to brood the chicks, and what are the existing shortcomings of the hay-box brooder. In addition, secondary data from bureau of Agriculture were collected.

Results and discussion

All the respondents responded that the existing hay-box brooder is influenced by seasons, including the rainy seasons and cold months like October-December also affect more the technology because of low environmental temperature. This is the expectation of farmers based on the experience but not involved in the hay-box during these months. Most of the respondents forecasted that the technology could be appropriate during dry seasons ranging from January-March, if there is no rain, which is usually accompanied by disease outbreak. Since it requires intensive management the technology seems to be appropriate after harvesting crops, when the farmers are expected to have fulltime. This result agree with that of Solomon (1999) who, declared that hay-box brooder was seriously affected by long rainy season (Jun, July, August and September) and some times in short rainy season (April-March) during which season coccidiosis is the prominent disease causing high chick mortality.

The results of the farmers interviewed pertaining the shortcomings of the existing hay-box brooder are in Table 1.

All the farmers indicated that the chick run of the technology lacks a "door" like structure for the provision and removal of water and feed materials. During the construction of the run in the Mecha Wereda, an opening was left on the top of the run for the purpose of providing and removing water and feed, as a result of which mortality attributable to predation occurred. All the farmers complained about the opening of mesh wire left at the top, which made easy access for predators.

brooderUnfortunately, however, the run was found to be heavy to move from place to place as recommended, indicating the need for modification. A number of external parasites (lice, fleas and mites) were identified to be associated with retarded growth observed among the groups of chicks assigned to the hay-box due to irritation and blood sucking. Twenty two percent of all the respondents reported the occurrence of ant problem. Most of the farmers put the technology near their beds due to fear of ant and other predators especially during night times for follow up. Bed bugs which is common in the study area get easy access to the chicks.

Testing the modified Haybox

Materials and methods

Testing of turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) as ant repellent

On inquiring from local people,  it was found that liver was one of the most attractive food items for the ants. Having such information, cattle liver from the butcher was purchased for the present trial. The area in the near vicinity of the experimental site where ants were available was used for this experiment. The liver (50 gm) was cut equally into 12 pieces. Then these liver pieces were placed into 12 different places. Liver was placed 50 cm away from the main path line of the ants. The distance between the two pieces of liver was 1 m. Randomly six places were earmarked and encircled with turmeric powder within 5 cm radius and the rest served as control. After placing the eatables, the ants arrival was recorded in both groups. The observation time started from 10 am to 4 pm.

Construction of hay-box brooders

Existing hay-box brooders

The existing hay-box brooders of 10 chicks capacity (Figures 1 and 2) were constructed according to Solomon (1999). The constructed hay-box brooders consisted of four outer framing boards, mesh-wire floors, central nests, doors, and four small ventilation holes drilled at the top of each board (total of 16 holes per box). Hay was stuffed very loosely between the sides of the boxes and the central nest, and the tops of the boxes were covered with sacks filled with hay. Finally chick run of adequate space were fitted to each box.

Modified hay-box brooders

The modified hay-box brooders were also constructed in the same way to that of the existing one, except that the length of the four outer framing boards was extended to 34 cm each, cartoons and bamboo was used for the construction of the central nest and the top of the run respectively instead of using mesh-wire. Turmeric powder was used to encircle either hot water Jerican or hay sealed in polythene bags, both of which were inserted between the walls of the modified hay-box outer framing board (walls) and the central nest for the purpose of heat conservation. Finally the following 5 treatments were made available for the experimental study.

Management of the experimental chicks

A total of 200 day-old chicks vaccinated against Newcastle disease were brought from Andassa Livestock Research Center. These were weighed and randomly divided in to 5 groups of 40 chicks each. Each group was further sub-divided in to 4 - groups each with 10 chicks of comparable mean group weight. Finally each group was randomized to the 5 treatments in CRD with four replications, for experimental study period (6 weeks).

All the treatment groups were offered adequate starter ration and clean water. The electric groups were fed to appetite both during night and day times, while the box groups were fed to appetite in the run during day times and closed in to the box during night times. Feed offered and orts were weighed daily. Weight gain was measured weekly. Mortality was recorded as occurred.

Electric bulbs of 60 watt bulb, insulation materials and blue color plastic Jeri cans (3) containing hot water of 65-70 ⁰C were used to provide the required brooding temperature during the 1^st week of brooding. In the case of the modified hay-box brooders, Jericans containing hot water of 55-60 ⁰C, 45-50 ⁰C and 25-30 ⁰C were used to maintain the desirable brooding temperature during the 2^nd, 3rd and 4^th week of brooding respectively.

Treatments

Treatments used were:

T1- Electric brooder
T2- Existing hay-box brooder (Figure 3)
T3- Modified hay-box consisting of turmeric powder encircled, hay sealed in polythene bag (Figure 4)
T4- Modified hay-box consisting of turmeric powder encircled, hot water Jericans (Figure 5)
T5- Modified hay-box consisting of and turmeric powder encircled, hay sealed in polythene bag plus hot water Jerican (Figure 6)

Carcass yield and weight of internal organs

At the end of the experiment, 6 male chicks from each treatment were randomly taken weighed and sacrificed by cutting the jugular vein. After the birds were killed, de-feathered by hand plucking and dressing percentage was calculated. The carcass was eviscerated by removing the viscera, head shank, trachea, and lungs excluding the giblets (heart, liver and gizzard) in order to calculate the eviscerated weight percentage. The weight of crop, liver, gizzard, proventriculus, duodenum, jejunum and ileum, combined caecum and large intestine, adrenal gland and bursa of Fabricius were weighed with and with out contents using sensitive balance. The relative weights were calculated as a proportion of weight of GIT parts to body weight.

Results and discussion

Turmeric powder testing as an ant repellent

It was observed that none of the ants crossed the turmeric powder circled in all the six treated groups whereas, a huge number of ants, as expected, reached to the liver pieces (control). It is beyond doubt that the turmeric powder can be used to check the entry of ants in any specific area including chicks under the local conditions. However, it was effective as long as rain or wind did not erode it.

Brooding temperature and humidity

In this study a range of minimum and maximum brooding temperatures of 27-31 ⁰C and 33-37 ⁰C was maintained in the case of T2 and T3 and in the case of T4 and T5 respectively during the first week of brooding, the latter value being comparable to the findings of Solomon (1999). Minimum and maximum brooding temperatures of 34.5-37 ⁰C were maintained in the electric brooder during the first week of brooding.

The brooding temperature maintained during the first week of brooding was significantly (p<0.01) higher for T1, T4 and T5. Almost the desirable or recommended brooding temperature was maintained in the case of these three treatments during the first week of brooding. Reducing the temperature of hot water and the number of Jerican reduced the brooding temperature of T4 and T5 to the desired level. Hot water of 55-60 ⁰C and 45-50 ⁰C was found to be sufficient as per recommendations during the 2^nd and 3^rd week of brooding respectively. On the 4^th week two Jericans having 25-30 ⁰C hot water were required to maintain the desirable brooding temperature. In the case of T2 and T3 the insulation materials were reduced starting from 3^rd week.

Feed consumption

Mean feed intake was significantly (p<0.01) higher for the groups assigned to electric brooder in which the chicks were subjected to appetite feeding during night and day time, compared to the hay-box groups, fed to appetite during day time in the run. There was no significant difference between the groups assigned to the hay box-box brooders in feed consumption during the first month of brooding.

Live weight gain

Live weight gains of experimental chicks assigned to electric and existing modified hay-box brooders are presented in Table 2. Mean total gain was significantly (p<0.01) higher for the groups assigned to electric brooder followed by that of the groups assigned to the modified hay-box brooders provided with hot water. The groups assigned to the existing and modified hay-boxes without hot water (T2 and T3) were significantly (p < 0.01) inferior to all to all the others in mean total body weight gain.

The higher mean total live weight gain of the electric brooder groups could be attributed to the higher level of feed consumption both during night and day times compared to all the hay-box groups, which were fed only during day times. The better mean total body weight gain of the group assigned to T4 and T5 compared to the group assigned to T2 and T3 may be explained by the maintenance of a relatively constant brooding temperature through the provision of hot water. The present results are partially similar to those of Solomon (1999), who reported better weight gain from the groups assigned to electric brooder compared to the groups assigned to the boxes. More or less similar trends had been reported by Negussie et al (2002).

Biological efficiencies

Feed efficiency expressed as mean weight gain of the experimental chicks, per unit of feed consumed, was significantly better  (p<0.01) for the groups assigned to T4 and T5 as compared to the groups assigned to T2 and T3 during the entire brooding period. However, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between all the groups during the 6^th week of brooding. 

Mortality

Percentage mortality was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the group assigned to the electric brooder compared to all the others (T2-T5). The large segment of the mortality occurred during the early period of brooding in all the treatment groups, all of which showed significant reduction in mortality with advancement in age. These results disagree with those of Solomon (1999) and Negussie et al (2002) who reported that there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in mortality of chicks raised in hay-box and electric brooders.

Internal organs

Referring to Table 3, the weight of liver of the groups assigned to electric brooder was significantly lower than in the groups assigned to T2, T3 and T5. But there was no significant difference between the groups assigned to T1 and T4. The existence of such a trend finds support in the work of  Plavnik and Yahar (1998) who found lower weight of liver in chickens raised at 35 ⁰C as compared to those raised at 20-25 ⁰C.

The adrenal gland weighed significantly (p<0.01) less in the treatment groups assigned to T1, T4 and T5 than the groups assigned to T2 and T3. Increased stress load usually stimulates the hyperplasia and hypertrophy of adrenal (Etches et al 1995) indicating that the groups assigned to T1, T4 and T5 chicks were relatively more comfortable than the others. The larger the size of the adrenal gland more synthesis of corticosterone hormone which might have suppressed the immune system (Bursa Fabricius). According to the result of this trial, there was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) between all the treatment groups in relative weight of different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The proventriculus of the groups assigned to the electric brooder house was significantly larger than all the others (p<0.01).

Conclusions

• Turmeric powder tested as ant repellant was found to be effective in controlling the ant problem associated with hay-box chick brooding technology. 

• The modified hay-box brooder with hot water was superior to the existing hay-box brooder in chick brooding performance.

References

Etches R J, John T M and Verrinder Gibbins A M 1995 Behavioral, Physiological, Neuroendocrine and Molecular responses to heat stress. pp. 31-53. In: Daghir N J (editor) Poultry Production in Hot climates. CAB. Cambridge, UK.

Negussie D, Alemu Y, Tadelle D and Samuel W Hana 2002 On-station and On-farm evaluation of the "Hay-box chick brooder" using different insulation materials at the Debre Zeit Agricultural Research center and Denbi village, Adaa Wereda. pp. 211-216. In the proceedings of the 10^th annual conference of the Ethiopian Society of Animal production (ESAP) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, August 21-23, 2002. ESAP, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Solomon D 1999 Suitability of home made hay-box chick brooder to the Ethiopian household production system. pp. 115-123. In: The Proceedings of seventh annual conference of Ethiopian Society of Animal Production (ESAP), 26-27 May. ESAP, Addis Ababa. Ethiopia.

Tadelle D and B Ogle 2001 Village poultry production systems in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 33 (6): 521-537.

Received 11 March 2006; Accepted 26 March 2006; Published 11 May 2006

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