Effects of feeding four varieties of Sorghum bicolor as replacement for maize on growth performance of broiler chicks in Kaduna state

The pressure on maize by feed industries and other industries has been increasing worldwide and maize has remained the major energy source in compounded diets of poultry ration which requires attention for alternative energy feed stuff for poultry due to cost and varying climatic changes. A study was carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding four varieties of Sorghum bicolor on growth performance of broiler chickens in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Two hundred and twenty five (225) Arbor acre chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatments after three days adjustment period using the complete randomized design (CRD) as follows, T1 - maize, T2 –Samsorg-14, T3 –Samsorg-40, T4 –Samsorg-17 and T5–KSV-15 in replacement for maize (T1) on the performance of broiler chickens. Each treatment had fortyfive (45) birds per treatment allotted into three (3) replicates containing fifteen (15) birds per pen, which lasted for four weeks. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and significant (P < 0.05) differences among treatments were compared using the Tukey`s test. The result at the starter phase showed that chicks fed T1 and T2 were significantly (P<0.05) higher in final body weight, average daily weight gain and had better feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg gain than birds fed T3, T4 and T5 diets. In conclusion total replacement of Samsorg-14 (T2) for maize (T1) in broiler chicks’ diet had no negative impact on performance at the starter phase, therefore Samsorg-14 can be incorporated in the diets of broiler chicks at 100%. Keywords: Broiler chicks, Sorghum varieties, growth performanc

Growth performance of broiler chickens fed replacement levels of red and black finger millet (Eleusine coracana) varieties at starter phase

This study examined effect of red and black finger millet (RBFM) (Eleusine coracana) on performance of broiler chicks as replacement for maize using 600 chicks for 28 days. Using 2x5 factorial arrangement in completely randomized design with RBFM inclusion at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacing maize in diets. Ten dietary treatments replicated 3 times containing 20 chicks/replicate and growth parameters determined. Results showed improvement in weights of birds fed diets containing 25% (669.50g) and 50% (677.50g) RBFM which had no statistical difference with birds fed control diets (679.80g) in main effect. Final weight and weight gain of birds fed diets containing RBFM up to 50% (684.90g and 670.00g) performed better than birds fed control diets (679.80g) in interaction. Feed intake was poorest in birds fed black finger millet at 75% (748.22g). FCR of chicks fed diets at 25% (1.70) red finger millet compared with birds fed control (1.62) diets. Cost/kg gain was increasing as RBFM were increasing, least cost was at 25% (₦222.60) red finger millet which can be compared with control (₦189.10). It can be concluded that RBFM can be alternative for maize as source of energy in chicks’ diets up to 50% without affecting performance

Effects of feeding four varieties of Sorghum supplemented with Maxigrain® enzyme on haematology and carcass characteristics of broiler finishers

A study was carried out to evaluate the effect of feeding four varieties of Sorghum bicolor supplemented with Maxigrain ® enzyme on haematology and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens in Kaduna state, Northern guinea Savannah of Nigeria. Five diets were formulated for the broilers at both the starter and finisher phases namely T1 – Maize without 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme  supplementation, T2 –Samsorg-14 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme, T3 –Samsorg-40 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme, T4 –Samsorg-17 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme and T5 –KSV-15 supplemented with 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme in replacement for maize (T1) on the performance of broiler chickens. Two hundred and twenty five (225), day old Arbor acre chicks were used and placed on a common diet and were randomly distributed on the fifth day into five dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) with each treatment group having forty-five (45) birds per treatment and birds were allotted into three (3) replicates of 15 birds in each replicate for eight weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, 9 birds per treatment were selected based on the average weight per treatment for hematological and carcass assay. The results showed that feeding different dietary treatments supplemented with or without 0.01 % Maxigrain ® enzyme to broiler chickens had no significant (P > 0.05) effects on haematological parameters and did not compromise the health as values were within normal range. Result showed that birds fed T1 and T4 were not significantly (P>0.05) different in terms of final body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and major carcass characteristics were significantly (P<0.05) different and had higher values than birds fed T2, T3 and T5 supplemented with Maxigrain ® enzyme

Carcass quality, haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens fed diets with graded levels of irish potato peel meal supplemented with enzyme

A study was carried out to search for alternative energy sources for maize in poultry diet. A 9-week experiment was conducted to ascertain the effect of diets containing feeding varying levels of Irish potato peel meal (IPPM) used to replace maize with enzyme supplementation on the carcass quality, haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty (240) Anak-2000 broiler chicks aged 6 days were randomly assigned to 12 floor pens containing 20 birds each. Four diets were formulated based on 23 and 20% crude protein in the starter and finisher phases respectively, to contain 0, 5, 10 and 15% IPPM supplemented with enzyme to serve as replacement for maize. Each of the diets was fed to 3 pens of 20 birds in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on carcass quality and blood samples at the end of the experiment. There were no adverse effects of the test material on the carcass quality, haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens

A comparative study of feeding three sources of yeast on performance of broiler chicks

Proximate analysis and biological studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing three sources of yeast. Brewer`s yeast slurry, local alcoholic yeast (BKT) and Bakers’ yeast were assayed for their proximate composition, metabolizable energy, calcium and phosphorus contents. Generally, the proximate composition of Dried brewer`s yeast slurry was similar to that of baker`s yeast but was slightly higher (P< 0.05) than local alcoholic yeast (BKT). Baker`s yeast contained more calcium and phosphorus (3.42 % and 4.34 %) than dried brewer`s yeast slurry (0.16% and 1.24%) and Burukutu yeast (0.08 % and 0.26 %). In the starter phase, a total of one hundred and ninety two – day old broiler chicks were used to compare the nutritive value of dried brewer`s yeast slurry , Burukutu (BKT) yeast and Baker`s yeast in a complete randomized design. The birds were fed 23 % CP diets in which yeast products were fixed at 0.8 %, while the control diet contained 0 % yeast which was fed throughout the 28 day’s experimental period. The growth trial showed no significant (P>0.05) difference across the dietary treatments in terms of final weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and the cost per Kg gain. It was concluded that in view of the high protein and fairly balanced amino acid profile of yeast products, yeast can be used as a growth promoter in broiler chickens diets.Keywords: Dried brewer`s yeast slurry, Baking yeast, local alcoholic yeast (Burukutu yeast), performance, broiler chicks

Performance of broiler finisher chickens fed varied levels of mango seed kernel meal as replacement for maize

The performance of broiler finisher chickens fed varied levels of mango seed kernel meal as replacement for maize was studied. Mango seed kernel was fed as replacement for maize at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% for treatments 1-6, respectively. 20% mango seed kernel showed the best result in feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed to gain ratio and feed cost per kilogram weight gain. This performance declined with increasing  replacement levels of MSK. Thus, in the study, it is concluded that) mango seed kernel can replace maize at 20% in the diet of broiler chickens without negatively affecting performance. Higher inclusion levels beyond 20% resulted in declined feed intake and productive parameters. Keywords: broiler, performance, mango seed kernel, maiz

Effect of irish potato peel and yam peel meals on the performance and nutrient digestibility of weaner rabbits

A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of Irish potato peel meal (IPPM) and yam peel meal (YPM) on the performance of weaner  rabbits. Twenty-five weaner rabbits were assigned to five dietary treatments of five rabbits each, and were individually caged in a completely randomized design. The rabbits were fed the dietary treatments, where treatment one (T1) was the control with no IPPM and YPM, treatment two (T2) and treatment three (T3) with 20% and 30% IPPM, respectively while treatment four (T4) and five (T5) had 20% each and 30% each of the combination of IPPM and YPM, respectively. The parameters measured were initial weight, final weight, average feed intake, average weight gain, feed to gain ratio, water intake, feed cost/Kg gain, proximate composition and feed digestibility of the feed materials. The result showed that average daily feed intake was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the rabbits fed with the control diet (T1) compared to the other treatments. The feed to gain ratio were similar in all the treatments. The feed cost per kg gain was significantly different (P<0.05) across the treatments. crude protein,  crude fibre and ash digestibility were significantly higher in T1 (control) compared to T2, T3and T5, but was similar to T4. ether extract and NFE digestibility were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T1 compared to all other treatments. It is concluded that, Irish potato peel and yam peel meals can be used to replace maize in the conventional rabbit feed without any adverse effect on their growth performance and nutrient digestibility. Keywords: potato peel, yam peel, rabbit, performanc

Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Haematology of Grower Japanese Quails as Affected by Processing Methods of African Breadfruit (Treculia africana) Seed

A total of two hundred seventy growing Japanese male quail birds were fed with parboiled (PB) and varying boiling time of African Breadfruit, ABF (Treculia africana) seed to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics and haematological parameters of the growing male quail fed the African Breadfruit seed. Six dietary treatments with a control treatment (T1) without ABF, parboiled  ABFat100oC(T2) and four varying cooking intervals of 10, 20, 30 and 40 minutes  starting from time of boiling representing T3, T4, T5 and T6 respectively were  investigated. The birds were fed the experimental diet from 2-6weeks. Data were collected and analyzed for carcass characteristics and haematology parameters with 9 birds representing a treatment in a complete randomized design. Results shows that performance parameters of final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost/kg weight gain had significant (P<0.05) differences however, initial bodyweight, total feed intake and daily feed intake had no significant (P>0.05) difference. The carcass and visceral organs all had significant (P<0.05) differences with PB treatment having better carcass characteristics. Most of haematological parameters measured were significantly (P<0.05) different although PCV, RBC, heterophil and MCV had no (P>0.05) difference. It can be concluded that cooking African Breadfruit at parboiling time is adequate for quails performance no adverse health implications.Key words:African Breadfruit, Performance, Carcass, Quail

Proximate composition, anti–nutritional factors and the effect of irish potato (Solanum tuberosum l.) peels on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

The effect of replacing maize with lrish potato peel meal (IPPM) in the diets of broiler chickens was investigated, proximate analysis and anti–nutritional factor analysis were carried out. IPPM has a DM content of 90.03%, CP of 13.28, CF of 5.27, Oil of 0.32, Ash of 7.11, NFE of 74.02% and metabolisable energy of 3110.22 Kcal/kg. The content of anti–nutrients are phytate 1.84 mg/100g, tannins 3.96 mg/100g, oxalate 0.69 mg/100g, sapponin 1.60 mg/100g, trypsin inhibitors 2.40 mg/100g and cyanide 0.96 mg/100g. One hundred and eighty broilers of mixed sexes were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments of forty five (45) birds/treatment in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet 1 was the control devoid of IPPM while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained IPPM at 5, 10 and 15% levels, respectively. Feed and water were provided ad–libitum throughout the study period that lasted 9 weeks. Routine management practices and vaccines were strictly adhered to. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain and were used to calculate other growth parameters. At the end of the trial, two animals from each replicate were slaughtered, de-feathered, eviscerated and dissembled for carcass evaluation. There were significant (p<0.05) differences in weight gain, feed intake, feed cost/kg gain but mortality did not differ across treatments. Diets 2 and 3 compared favorably with the control. Results of carcass analysis showed significant (p<0.05) differences in dressing percentage and percentages of primal cuts such as drumstick, thigh, chest and back. Organs such as liver, lungs, heart, spleen, gizzard and kidneys also differ significantly (p>0.05) but intestines did not (p>0.05) differ across treatments. Results indicate that sun–dried IPPM can be included up to 15% level in broiler feed thus reducing the cost of production without adverse effect on the performance of the broilers.Keywords: Broilers, Irish potato peels, Proximate, Anti-nutrient, Performanc