The document discusses the use of pre-starter diets for broiler chickens. It notes that while pre-starter diets are more digestible for neonatal chicks, they are also more expensive than starter diets. The study aims to determine the optimal duration of using pre-starter diets to increase broiler performance in a cost-effective manner. Specifically, it will compare broilers fed pre-starter diets for 5, 10, or 15 days to those fed only a starter diet in terms of growth, nutrient retention, and profitability. A trial will be conducted feeding 108 broiler chicks one of the four diet treatments to draw conclusions about whether using pre-starter diets is economically recommended.

1. INTRODUCTION
• The neonate chicks have immature digestive system that adapt
rapidly to complex carbohydrates and protein. but, this is not
rapid enough for d modern broilers. Most farmers complain as it
doesn't digest feed as fast as they want .Hence, the introduction of
pre starter diet for broilers.
• Pre starter diet is highly digestible in both quality and quantity in
protein than the starter diet but it is highly expensive when
compare to the normal starter diet given.
• However, it is recommended to feed broilers pre starter diet for
two weeks of their lives before replacement with normal starter
diet.

2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
There is need to know if it is economically recommended and
worth it to use the expensive pre starter diet instead of the
relatively cheaper starter. This research therefore inquires to
know:
• If the broilers fed pre starter diet outweigh the normal
regular birds in terms of growth.
• If profit will be maximized when it reaches market price.
• The feed intake, weight gain ratio and cost of feed.
• The nutrient retention which is the process of converting
feed intake into weight gain ratio.
• Weight gain ratio = feed intake /feed gain and feed cost/kg
= price/kg multiply by feed consumed.

3. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The aim of the study is to determine the effects of duration of use of pre
starter diet on performance, nutrient retention and profitability of
broilers. The specific objectives of the study are to;
i. Determine the optimum number of days of use of pre starter diet to
increase the performance of the broilers in compares with other broilers.
ii. Know the effects of use of pre starter diet used for 5, 10, and 15 days
in the broilers.
iii. Know if there is residual effects of the use of pre starter diet for 5, 10
and 15days on subsequent performance to market weight.
iv. Investigate the direct effects of pre starter diet on economics of
producing broilers (feed cost(naira)/kg of weight gain).

4. JUSTIFICATION
• The result of this trial will confirm whether it
is economically worth it to use pre starter diet
and the best time to withdraw.

5. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The experiment will be carried out in the Poultry Unit of Teaching
and Research Farm in University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara state of
Nigeria.
• One hundred and eight (108) day old chicks of commercial strains
will be housed in battery cage system (pen) using a completely
randomized design.
• Birds will be fed a control starter diet while in other treatments,
birds will be fed pre starter diet for 5, 10 and 15 days before
replacement with starter diet. The table below shows the usage
of pre starter and starter diet.
NUMBER OF
TREATMENTS
PRE STATER DIET STATER DIET
1 (control) nil 0– 42 days.
2 5 days 5- 42days
3 10 days 10 – 42days
4 15days 15 – 42days

6. MATERIALS AND METHODS ( CONTD)
• Thus, there will be 4 treatments, each with 3 replicates of 9
chicks. Feed and water will be supplied ad libitum during the trial
period that will last 6wks. The bird will be weighed for 5,10 and 15
days while feeding with pre starter diet and weighed weekly after
replacement with starter diet.
• A nutrient retention trial will be carried out at 2 & 6 wks of age
using the total collection method to determine crude protein, fat
and fibre.
• Economics of using pre starter vis a vis will be determined by
coagulation cost of feed / kg of weight gain.
• In chemical analysis, Feed and excreta samples will be subjected
to proximate analysis using the method of AOAC (1990). Protein
will be determined using the kjeldah procedure. Ether extract will
be determined by subjecting the samples to petroleum ether ( bp
60-80°C) extraction using the soxhlet apparatus. Crude fibre will
be determined using the procedure described by Atteh (2018).

7. THANKS FOR LISTENING