Response of Broilers to Two Management Systems of Housing in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria

A study was conducted to investigate the performance of broiler chickens under the intensive and semi- intensive systems of poultry production in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. Results of the study revealed significant (P < 0.05) differences in all the parameters investigated between the broilers produced in the two management systems. Birds managed under the intensive systems showed superior performances in average final weight (1,372.25g/bird) as compared to those managed in the semi-intensive system (1,161.25g/bird). The daily weight gains of the birds were also significantly (P < 0.05) different, with the birds in the intensive group showing better performance. The superiority in final weight observed in the intensively managed broilers further reflected in their dressing percentage and primal cuts. In contrast, broilers managed under the semi-intensive system possessed superior internal organs on account of the exposure of the birds to varying environmental condition and feeds they utilized as they scavenge. Hence with the current trend in super market revolution, where the availability of primal cuts of broilers and internal organs are a major means of sales of the chicken in Nigeria, better management of the birds to bring about better production of primal parts and internal organs is advocated.