This study was aimed at examining the effect of brooding methods and feeding
regimen on the growth and development of marshal broiler chickens. Forty-eight
day-old marshal broiler were used for the two phased experiment of brooding phase
(heated group – H and heatless group – HL), and feed restriction phase (once daily at
8.00 hours – T1, twice daily at 8.00 and 16.00 hours – T2, and thrice daily at 8.00,
12.00 and 16.00 hours – T3). Data were collected on ambient temperature, relative
humidity, mortality, feed intake, body weight gain, morphometric traits and carcass
traits. General linear model and Duncan Multiple’s Range Test of SPSS was used for
the analysis of variation and mean separation respectively. Increased temperature and
ambient relative humidity was observed in the afternoon and morning respectively
throughout the brooding phase. The HL had the higher average weekly gain (AWG)
within the first three weeks. Amongst the performance characteristics, only average
final weight (AFW), (AWG) and average feed intake (AFI) were significantly
(P<0.05) influenced by the feeding regimen. HL under T2 recorded the highest values
(1372.66g and 734.24g) for AFW and AWG, respectively and also the best FCR
(1.63). Morphometric measurements and carcass traits of birds under T2 were
significantly (P<0.05) highest in all the parameters considered. However, HL was
numerically higher than H in some parameters. It could be concluded that marshal
birds raised under HL and fed twice daily at 8.00 hours and 16.00 hours can increase
productivity.