COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF A FABRICATED CALCIUM CARBIDE HOVER AND KEROSENE LAMP AS HEAT SOURCES FOR POULTRY BROODING

¹J.O. Awulu, ²T.K. Kaankuka and ³S.M. Tornenge

^1,2&3Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering,

University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.

E-mail: jawulu@yahoo.com

Abstract: A fabricated Calcium Carbide Hover and Kerosene Lamp were used as sources of energy for brooding day old chicks. Six (6) brooding boxes were constructed and used for this experiment. One hundred and twenty (120) chicks were bought at day old with each box having twenty (20) chicks. Feed and water were supplied three times daily. Temperature was measured using wet and dry bulb thermometer four (4) times daily at six (6) hours interval. Feed supplied was measured on daily bases. Standard feed conversion ratio was used to determine feed intake and body weight gain of the chicks which were recorded on weekly bases using weighing balance. Mortality of chicks for both energy types of brooding was recorded. Results obtained showed that brooding hover had a mean temperature of 31.0⁰C while kerosene lamp had 30.8⁰C. Mortality for carbide hover was 5%, while kerosene lamp was 8.33%. The cost of brooding using carbide hover was N2,868.00 and kerosene lamp was N3,827.25. Brooding hover had a mean body weight gain of 0.424kg as against 0.414kg for kerosene lamp. Feed conversion ratio was 1.5 for carbide hover and 1.6 for kerosene lamp. ANOVA results showed that there was significant difference in cost of operation but no significant difference was observed between the temperatures, mortality rates, and feed conversion rates for the two energy types considered.  This experiment showed that hover can be used as an energy source for small scale brooding in place of kerosene stove.