Measurement of crude protein requirement of cockerel finishers by two empirical methods

Two empirical methods, namely the orthodox or traditional and diet dilution technique, were used to measure the responses of 96 14-week-old Black Olympian cockerel finishers to graded dietary crude protein (CP) levels of 16, 18, 20 and 22 per cent on airdry basis in a 6-week trial. The diets were isocaloric (ca 2600 kcal kg-1 metabolisable energy). Both methods indicated that weight gains, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio were optimized by diets containing 18 per cent CP level at minimal cost of feedper unit gain. The results, thus, confirm that both methods are equally good in predicting the CP requirements of finishing cockerels

Replacement value of poultry visceral offal meal in the diet of broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the replacement value of poultry visceral offal meal (PVOM) substituting for fish meal (FM) on an equal protein basis in the diets or unsexed Ross-strain broiler chickens from day-old to 8 weeks of age. One hundred and fifty birds were allotted in groups of 10 into 15 equidimeosional floor pens with floor space of 0.189m2 per bird. There were three replicates per treatment diet, with 10 birds per pen serving as a replicate. Five treatment diets, each for the starter and finisher phases of 5-and 3-week duration respectively were fed ad libitum. Diet A (control) contained 8% FM which was gradually replaced with PVOM at 2.3,4.6,6.90 and 9.20% in diets B,C,D and E respectively for both phases. All the diets were isocaloric (ca 12MJ ME/kg) for both phases and isonitrogenous with 23 and 20% dietary crude protein contents for the starter and finisher diets respectively. Feed intake and feed conversion ratios (FCR) were similar (P > 0.05) on all diets in support or complete substitution. However, weight gain for 8 weeks on the control diet was better (P < 0.05) than those on FM/PVOM- and PVOM-diets whose weight gains were similar (P > 0.05). The mean feed intake values of 4.031, 3.936, 3.760, 3.870 and 3.715 kg/bird were obtained for birds receiving diets A,B,C,D and E respectively while the equivalent FCRs were 2.326, 2.352, 2.233, 2.326 and 2.340. The mean weiglat gaias for birds on diets A,B,C,D and E for 8 weeks were 1.824, 1.688, 1.689, 1.676 and 1.590 kg/bird respectively. The dressed weight and wrights of back, drumsticks, thighs and wings were similar (P > 0.05) for all diets in favour of complete substitution of FM with PVOM. Mean dressing percentages were 58.24 to 69.07%. It is concluded that PVOM could replace FM completely in broiler diets.Keywords: Broilers, visceral offal meal, fish meal, performance and carcass characteristics

Effect Of Dietary Protein Levels On The Performance And Carcass Characteristics Of Cockerel Finishers

A study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary crude protein (CP) levels in diets of 2600kcal/kg metabolisable energy content on the performance and carcass characteristics of cockerel finishers. The experimental diets A, B, C, D and E contained CP levels of 140, 160, 180, : 200 and 220g/kg and they were produced by modified diet dilution technique. Response criteria such as weight gain and feed conversion ratio, among others, and carcass characteristics were measured. Results on performance and carcass characteristics, with the exception of the neck, intestinal weights and other visceral offals, revealed that these response criteria were optimized in the birds fed on 180g/kg dietary CP level. Beyond this level, it was not beneficial to feed higher CP levels. Itis therefore, concluded that the CP requirement of finisher cockerels is 18% on the bases of their performance and carcass characteristics.Keywords: Cockerel finishers, Dietary crude protein levels, performance, carcass characteristic

Protein and energy requirements of some cockerel starters in the tropics

No Abstract Available Ghana Jnl agric. Sci, Vol.36 2003: 69-7

The Effect of Animal and Plant Protein-Based Diets on the Crude Protein Requirement of Cockerel Starters

None Availabl

Cassava root meal as substitute for maize in layers ration

The effect of replacing maize with graded levels of cassava root meal (CRM) as energy source in the diet of laying hens was evaluated during the eight weeks of feeding experiment on performance and cost benefits on layers. Forty-five Nera black laying hens of 24 weeks of age were allocated to five dietary treatments, with nine birds per treatment in a completely randomized design. CRM was used to formulate the diets at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The result showed that the feed intake of birds in the control group was significantly (p<0.05) different from those fed the CRM diets. The average weight gain of layers receiving up to 50% CRM was similar to the control birds, but significantly different from layers fed 75 and 100% CRM. No mortality was recorded. Egg production per hen per day and average egg weight were significantly different (p<0.05) for birds consuming more than 50% CRM in T4 and T5. Layer feed ration was made cheaper by the replacement of maize with cassava root meal in the diets