THE COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF APPLICATION OF VITAMIN AND MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS IN BROILER CHICKEN PRODUCTION

Out of all food of animal origin, the demand for poultry meat increases the most dynamically the poultry sector can only satisfy this demand by introducing more and more intensive raising technology. The goal of this study is to measure the positive impact on production production parameters (mortality, live weight gain, feed conversion ratio) of vitamins and nutrient supplements (Gastroferm M+C®, Jolovit®, Norovit-Amino Forte®, Phylamic®, Tetraselene-400-E®, Tetravit AD3E Forte® and Vitaplan DCP®) in raising broiler chickens, and to conduct an economic analysis of their application. In the study, we measured the effects on production indices of a special feed additive mix that contains vitaminand nutrient supplements, which were compared to those in the control group having no extra supplements. Based on the differences in the production parameters, we conducted the cost-benefit analysis of this special feed supplement mix. The Ross 308 hybrids in the experimental group were fed with supplements and produced 0.6% percentage point lower mortality rate, 0.11 kg more slaughter weight, and 0.13 kg/kg smaller feed conversation ratio on average compared to the control group. Based on the analysed production indeces, the use of the vitamin and mineral supplements had a 10.9 return on investment (ROI), and yielded 41.5 HUF extra profit per chicken in the experimental group compared to the control group.