Comparison of Growth Curves of Broiler under Different Stocking Densities by Gompertz Model

Abstract

The knowledge of the growth curve in poultry science is very useful for describing growth kinetics and setting commercial management procedures. The objective of this research was to fit the Gompertz growth curve from hatching weights to 42 d-old weights of broilers in 3 stocking density groups. A total of 284 Ross 308 broilers randomly divided into 3 stocking density groups (9, 13 and 17 birds/m(2)) in this experiment. All birds were weighted weekly. The asymptotic weight (A) of broiler chickens for 9, 13 and 17 bird/m(2) stocking density groups were 4198.46, 3807.45 and 3999.92 g, respectively (P<0.05). The growth rates (K) of broiler chickens for 9, 13 and 17 bird/m(2) stocking density groups were 0.055, 0.058 and 0.052, respectively (P<0.01). The coefficient of determination for all stocking density groups were 0.998, 0.997 and 0.996, respectively (P<0.05). Moreover, the mean square error (MSE) value was lowest for 9 bird/m(2) group (P<0.05). The current study suggested that stocking density of 9 bird/m(2) was better for the broiler growth of the different stocking densities on the base of mature live weight (A), coefficient of determination (R-2) and mean square error (MSE).