Feed intake and growth performance
Black Australorp and OV chickens had better overall weight gain than PK strain. This response may be attributed to variation in genetic and growth potential of the three chicken strains.
The variation in growth rate across weeks could be attributed to digestive tract adaptability to feed with high fibre content. Indeed, Horsted (2006) has reported that hens are capable of finding and utilizing a considerable amount of nutrients from forages. The weekly increase in feed intake is expected. As chickens increase in size, their nutritional requirements also increase and since they eat to satisfy their nutrient needs, feed intake increases accordingly (National Research Council (NRC), 1988). Black Australorp and OV chickens had better overall weight gain than PK strain. This response may be attributed to varia- tion in genetic and growth potential of the three chicken strains.