Haematological and biochemical indices of broiler chicken fed graded levels of boiled African yam beans (Sphenostylis stenocarpa)

This study was carried out to investigate the haematological and biochemical indices of broiler chicken fed graded levels of boiled African yam beans. The birds, 120 in number were allotted into four treatment groups having three replicate per treatment and 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design were used. Diet 1 was the control and corn-soy bean-based while diets 2, 3, and 4 had boiled African am beans at 10, 15 and 20% respectively. Blood samples were collected from eight weeks old broiler chicken into two sets of labeled sterile bottles and used for the analysis. The values observed for white blood cells (2.43, 2.71, 2.72. 2.76), packed cell volume (31.00, 31.04, 28.00, 27.00) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (32.83, 32.70, 29.60, 33.93%) for diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively fell within the normal range reported for healthy broiler chicken while the red blood cells for diets 1, 2, and 3 are comparable. Blood of birds in Diets 2, 3 and 4 had similar values of alkaline phosphatase which were higher than those of diet 1. Those in diets 3 and 4 had highest values of urea (30.00mg/dl), creatinine (0.413mg/dl) and lowest values of albumen (1.500d/L). Feeding boiled African yam bean above 10% level of inclusion resulted in increase in alkaline phosphatase, urea and creatinine. For optimal productivity 10% inclusion of boiled African yam beans is therefore recommended.Keywords: African yam beans, broiler, dietary levels, boile

Performance of broiler chickens fed graded dietary levels of toasted jackfruit seed meal (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

Effect of toasted jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed meal (TJSM) on performance of 120 2 weeks old broiler chickens was investigated. The  birds were divided into four dietary treatments having 3 replicates and 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Diet one (T1 ) was soybean based while toasted JFSM meal was added to diets 2 (T2 ), 3 (T 3) 1 and 4 (T4 ) at 5, 10 and 15% levels of inclusion, respectively. Growth  performance was 4 generally depressed with increased inclusion of toasted JFSM in the diets. Feed conversion ratio of birds fed T and T were the same and significantly better (P>0.05) than those of the 1 2 remaining treatment groups. Birds fed T had significantly higher values of live weight, 1 dressed weight and dressing percentage followed by birds fed T . The prime cut parts were 2 similar in all the treatment groups. Organ proportions showed no significant differences across the treatment groups except the spleen. Cost per kg feed decreased with increased inclusion of TJSM. The cost of feed consumed was higher (P>0.05) in T (531.29) but 1 decreased with increased inclusion of TJSM. The cost per kg weight gain, cost of  production and revenue were similar across the treatment groups with birds fed T significantly higher 1 (P>0.05) than the remaining treatment groups. The gross margin obtained for birds fed T 1 and T2 are comparable and higher than other treatment groups. From the foregoing TJFSM is  a potential feed resource and could be included in the diet of broiler chickens up to 5% inclusion level. Keywords: Utilization, Economics, Growth, Organ, Carcas

Performance of broiler chickens fed raw jackfruit seed meal (Artocarpus heterophyllus)

The effect of raw jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed meal (JFM) on performance, nutrient utilization and economics of production was investigated using 144 broiler chickens.The birds were divided into four dietary treatments of 3 replicates and 12 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Diet one was soybean based (control) while raw JFM meal was added to diets 2 (T2), 3 (T3) and 4 (T4) at 10, 20 and 30% levels of inclusion of soybean meal in the control diet respectively. At 8 weeks, 2 birds per replicate were used to evaluate nutrient utilization. The growth performance was generally depressed with increased inclusion of raw JFM in the diets. The feed to gain ratio of birds placed on control diet (2.55) and T2 (2.56) were the same (P>0.05) and are significantly better (P < 0.05) than other treatments. Nitrogen, ether extract and ash retention were virtually the same for birds fed T1 T2 and T3 while energy retention was higher (P<0.05) in birds fed T1 (2,82MJ/Kg ME) than those fed T2 , T3 and T4. The cost per Kg feed was higher in T1 (₦131.59) and decreased with increase in inclusion of raw JFM; T2 (₦127.17), T3 (₦123.66) and T4 (₦123.24). Cost per  Kg weight gain, revenue and gross margin were the same for birds fed control and those fed with T2 . From the foregoing raw JFM is a potential feed resource and could be included in the  diet of broiler chicken up to 10% level of inclusion of soybean meal in a control diet.Keywords: Raw jackfruit; performance; broiler chicken; nutrient retention; economic