Chicken feed trial with Andean Mineral Powder
Three groups of chickens were tested. A control group was maintained with no mineral powder applied in their feed. Two groups were fed with mineral powder incorporated in their feed, one with less mineral powder, 700 gms and one with more mineral powder 1100 gms. Feed conversion ratios (FCR) were observed for 7 weeks on all the 3 groups.
| FCR values | |||
| Week | Control group | 700 gms | 1100 gms |
| 1 | 1.21 | 1.21 | 0.78 |
| 2 | 1.33 | 1.35 | 1.14 |
| 3 | 1.39 | 1.44 | 1.42 |
| 4 | 1.59 | 1.55 | 1.53 |
| 5 | 1.75 | 1.52 | 1.49 |
| 6 | 1.83 | 1.57 | 1.53 |
| 7 | 1.92 | 1.72 | 1.59 |
Conclusion:
FCR values were lower for the chickens fed 700 gms than the FCR values for the control group. Chickens fed 1100 gms had even lower FCR values than both the control group and the 700 gms group. Note that a lower FCR value is the desirable outcome. In other words the chickens fed mineral powder had a higher output in body mass gained with a lower input of feed while the chickens not fed mineral powder had a lower output in body mass gained with a higher input of feed.
Outcome numbers– Feed conversion rate (FCR) decreased by up to 14% with an application of 1.54 lb. (700g) of mineral powder per TN of feed. FCR decreased by up to 17% with an application of 2.43 lb. (1,100g) of mineral powder per TN of feed. Lower feed input and higher chicken weight output = lower FCR.
Note:
- FCR= feed÷ weight.
- At $15/lb., 1.54 lb. (700g) has a cost of $23.15 and 2.43 lb. (1,100g) has a cost of $36.38.