scholarly journals Performance, carcass characteristics and feed cost Benefits of broilers fed processed Mucuna sloanei seed meal

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-140
Author(s):  
U. E. Ewa
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Seed Meal ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Total Weight Gain

The performance of broiler chickens fed boiled, boiled with potash (akanwu) (BWA) or boiled and mix with enzyme (BME) mucuna seed meal( MSM) were investigated. 120 a week old broiler chicken were randomly assigned to 4 treatment diets in a completely randomized experiment that lasted for 49 days. The diets were made of control (soya bean based), D2 (5% boiled MS), D3 (5% BWA MSM) and D4 (5% BME). The proximate composition of mucuna was determined. Other parameters measured were: feed intake, weight gain, and carcass characteristics of broilers. The crude protein content ranged from 22.10-22.16%, while the energy level ranged from 2996.10-3003.60kcal/kg. For growth performance, significance differences (P<0.05)exist for final body weight, ,total weight gain, daily weight gain and feed to gain ratio except for initial body weight, total feed intake, daily feed intake and mortality. BME gave the best growth performance in terms of significant (P<0.05) higher final body weight (2566.50g), total weight gain (2489.20g), and better feed to gain ratio (2.25) than the control which had: 2198.30g, 2095.10g and 2.56 for FBW, TWG and FGR respectively. For the carcass characteristics, chickens fed diet 4(BME) was not significantly (P>0.05) different from the control for dressed weight and dressed weight percentage. Control diet had the highest breast cut (31.87%) and diet 4 had the lowest (28.57%) while D4 had the highest thigh cut (18.34%) but the control had the lowest (16.41%). For cost per kg weight gain and gross margin, D4 gave 235.03 and 708.64 respectively, which compared (P>0.05) with the control ( 231.71, 746.68). The revenue and gross margin valuesobserved were direct indices of the biological effects observed in the growth performance (Table 4). From the above, Diet 4 which is boiled mucuna seed meal mixed with enzyme is therefore chosen as the best in terms of cost/Kg weight gain, revenue and gross margin in that it compared favorably with the control diet (D1).  

scholarly journals Growth performance, carcass characteristics and economics of broiler chicken fed graded levels of raw Mucuna sloanei seed meal

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-114
Author(s):  
U. E. Ewa ◽  
K. U. Amaefula ◽  
A. H. Akinmutimi
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Broiler Chicken ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Seed Meal ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Randomized Design

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and economics of broiler chicken fed graded levels of raw Mucuna sloanei seed meal were investigated. A total of 150, 1- day old broiler chickens were used. There were five treatments each replicated into three with 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Five treatment diets were formulated. Diet 1served as control, while diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 had 5, 10, 15, and 20 %, respectively of raw mucuna seed meals (RMSM) added to them. The experiment lasted 49 days. The parameters considered were growth performance, carcass characteristics and economics of production. For growth performance, the result revealed that RMSM significantly (P<0.05) depressed growth as the levels of inclusion of RMSM increased from 0 to 20%. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in all the parameters considered under growth except for initial body weight and mortality. There was progressive loss in final body weight as the level of mucuna inclusion increased from 0% to 20%. Control recorded the highest live body weight of 3023.30g while, birds fed diet with 20% mucuna had the least body weight of 504.43g. Among the birds placed on the test diets, birds fed diet with 5% mucuna seed meal performed significantly (P<0.05) better (1840.00g) than other test diets. Birds fed diets with 10 and 15% mucuna had final body weight of 1180.00 and 726.67g, respectively. The progressive l oss in weight was obvious early in the experiment and at 8 weeks of age the broiler fed 20% raw mucuna. Mucuna sloanei based diet weighed only 504.43g (16.68% of the control) as against 1840.00, (60.86% of the control) for that fed 5%.mucuna. Percentage dressed weight and percentage breast and thigh were significantly (P<0.05) higher for chicken fed control diet. 10% level of raw MSSM gave highest value for drumstick (14.91%) while control gave the least (13.00%). 5% raw MSSM (27. 71%) compared favourably with control (30.60%) for breast cut. Gross margin significantly decreased from N1459.80 for control diet to N 14.20 for D5 as the percentage inclusion of MSSM increases from 0 to 20%. In conclusion, birds fed raw Mucuna sloanei seed meal diet could not compare favourably with those fed soya bean based diets even at 5% level of inclusion. Processing is therefore recommended to enhance performance.

scholarly journals Growth performance, blood profile and economic analysis of broilers fed fermented mixture of cassava flour and bovine blood (cassablood) based diets

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 254-262
Author(s):  
A. O. Aniebo
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Blood Profile ◽  
Cassava Flour ◽  
Biochemical Indices

The effect of dietary treatments on growth performance, haematological and biochemical indices of finisher broilers as well as economics of broiler production were determined in this fermented cassava flour/blood mixture code-named "cassablood". The control diet (T1) contained 0% cassablood, while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 20%, 25% and 30% cassablood respectively. 120 four weeks old Anak broiler chicken were randomly allocated the 4 diets with 30 birds per treatment replicated 3 times with ten 10 broilers per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment effects on final body weight, final weight gain, feed intake and seed conversion ratio were significant (P<0.05). Birds fed cassablood based diets compared favourably with the control diet. 20% cassablood inclusion performed equally with the control diet in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio.All dietary groups also showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in most haematological and serum biochemical indices of broilers except in cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride contentswhichdiffered (P<0.05) significantly. Similarly, chicken on 20% and 25% inclusion levels produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher economic gains in terms of feed cost per kilogram of broiler among all the treatments. Therefore, 20 - 25% cassablood dietary inclusion level was recommended in broiler diet for production and profit maximization.  

Effect of long-term feeding of graded levels of deoxynivalenol on performance, nutrient utilization, and organ health of grower-finisher pigs (35-120 kg)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O Wellington ◽  
Michael A Bosompem ◽  
Lucas A Rodrigues ◽  
Daniel A Columbus
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Dietary Treatment ◽  
Nutrient Utilization ◽  
Final Body Weight

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term feeding of graded levels of DON on performance, nutrient utilization, and organ health of grower-finishing pigs. A total of 240 mixed-sex grower-finisher pigs (35.9 ± 1.1 kg initial body weight) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments (6 pigs/pen; 10 pens/treatment) for 77 d. Diets consisted of a control diet without DON (CONT) and diets containing 1, 3, or 5 ppm DON (DON1, DON3, or DON5). Nitrogen-balance was determined in 1 pig/pen during week 6 and 12 of the study. Growth performance measures were taken weekly for average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed (GF) until d 77. Blood samples were collected on d 0, 14, 42, 56, and 84 from 1 pig/pen for analysis of indicators of liver and kidney function. On d 7, ADG and ADFI for pigs fed DON3 and DON5 diets were lower (P &lt; 0.05) compared to DON1- and CONT-fed pigs. Overall ADG and ADFI (d 0-77) were lower in DON3- and DON5-fed pigs compared to CONT and DON1 pigs (P &lt; 0.05), with no difference in GF (P &gt; 0.05). Final body weight was reduced in DON3- and DON5-fed pigs (P &lt; 0.05) compared to CONT and DON1, which were not different (P &gt; 0.05). No significant (P &gt; 0.05) treatment effects were observed on carcass characteristics. In the grower-phase, protein deposition (PD) was reduced in DON3 and DON5 pigs compared to CONT and DON1 pigs (P &lt; 0.05). In the finisher phase, PD was not affected by dietary treatment (P &gt; 0.05). There was no effect of dietary treatment on the majority of selected serum chemistry (P &gt; 0.05). In summary, pigs exposed to diets containing &gt; 1 ppm DON had reduced growth performance with little or no effect on nitrogen utilization, organ health, or carcass characteristics, suggesting that the negative effects of DON may be largely due to depressed feed intake.

The effects of oil palm leaf meal-based diets on the growth performance and haematological indices of Red Sokoto goats

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
A.I. Ukanwoko ◽  
C.T. Alfred
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Oil Palm ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Leaf Meal ◽  
Haematological Indices ◽  
Palm Leaf

An experiment was carried out to determine the growth performance and haematological indices of Red Sokoto goats placed on oil palm leaf meal (OPLM)-wheat offal based diet. Six goats aged 12-18 months, weighing 15 – 20kg were randomly assigned to three treatments, comprising two animals each in a Completely Randomized Design. Each animal received 1kg of the diet daily for 56 days and weighed weekly. Results showed that final body weight was significant (P<0.05) with goats on T3 having the highest (21.50kg). The feed intake, body weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) were significantly different (P<0.05). T3 had the highest feed intake (305.35g/d), highest body weight gain (90.84g/d) and the best FCR (3.36). Significant differences (P <0.05) were observed in the Red Blood Cell (RBC), Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Haemoglobin (Hb) counts, ranging between 3.12 - 4.20x106ml; 23.00 -30.50% and 7.70 - 10.15g/dl respectively with goats on T3 having the highest.  The inclusion of OPLM enhanced body weight gain, FCR, RBC, PCV, and Hb counts of the goats. Therefore the oil palm leaf meal diets are recommended for better goat production. Key word: Growth performance; Oil Palm Leaf meal., Blood profile., Creatinine., Red Sokoto Goat.

scholarly journals Comparative evaluation of effects of different sources of groundnut meals on digestibility, growth performance and economics of production of growing rabbits

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 272-283
Author(s):  
K. T. Orayaga ◽  
P. M. Goholshak
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Seed Kernel ◽  
Apparent Digestibility ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Groundnut Cake

Three groundnut meals namely: groundnut cake (GNC), locally processed groundnut cake (kulikuli) and toasted groundnut seed(kernel) meal (TGSM) were incorporated in rabbit diets at two levels to generate six diets: 18% GNC, 22% GNC, 18% Kulikuli, 22% Kulikuli, 18% TGSM and 22% TGSM respectively, and 18% GNC also served as the control diet. Twenty four (24) six weeks-old growing rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes with mean initial weight of 568.75±l2.85g were randomly allocated to the six dietary treatment groups, such that each had four rabbits and each rabbit formed a replicate in a completely randomized design laid out in a 2X3 factorial arrangement and fed ad libitum, for 70 days. The main effects showed that while the treatment groups fed TGSM were significantly depressed (p<0.05). rabbits fed GNC and kulikuli were not significantly different (p>0.05) for average daily feed intake, daily body weight gain and final body weight. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was not significantly (p >0.05) affected among treatment groups. Rabbits fed TGSM had significantly (p<0.05) better apparent digestibility coefficient (78.04%) than those on kulikuli (75.81%6) and the group on kulikuli were better than animals fed GNC (72.09%) for fat digestibility. Fibre digestibility was also significantly different (p <0.05), with rabbits fed kulikuli having the poorest fibre digestion (15.63 %). Crude protein, dry matter and NFE apparent digestibility coefficients were not significantly (p >0.05) affected. Among all the parameters measured, only fat and fibre digestibility coefficients had significant (p <0.05) interactions and NFE digestibility was significantly affected (p <0.05) by level of inclusion, with groups fed 22% digesting it better. Feed cost kg gain did not differ significantly (p >0.05) among the treatment groups. Growth was still on the rise and there was a significantly (P<0.01) strong relationship (correlation and regression) between feed intake and weight gain for all the treatment groups. was concluded that both kulikuli and TGSM are potential feed resources for rabbits, more available to house hold farmers, equally economical as GNC and better still if groundnut farmers and or processors of kulikuli raise rabbits, though TGSM had less value for growth rate compared to GNC and Kulikuli at these levels of inclusion

scholarly journals Growth performance and carcass characteristics of finisher broiler chickens fed diet containing cooked cocoyam tubermeal

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-170
Author(s):  
B. C. Anyaegbu ◽  
D. N. Onunkwo ◽  
G. Igwe ◽  
J. Nathaniel ◽  
C. M. Nkwo
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Broiler Chicken ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Feeding Trial

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance and carcass characteristics of finisher broiler chickens fed diet containing cooked cocoyam tubermeal as energy source in place of maize. The proximate composition of cooked cocoyam tubermeal showed that it contained 13.11% moisture, 2.60% ash, 3.90% crude protein, 9.45% crude fiber, 1.85% ether extract and 70.13% NFE. In the finisher feeding trial, the cooked cocoyam tubermeal was used to replace maize at levels of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively in the control diet. Each finisher diet was fed to a group of 30 finisher broiler chicken for 4 weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment was divided into 3 replicates of 10 broiler chicks each. The birds were kept on deep litter and were given feed and water ad-libitum. Parameters measured include ifinal body weight, body weight gain feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics and economics of production. In the finisher feeding trial, the feed intake of the finisher broilers on diets 2, 3 and 4 were similar and compared favourably with those on the control diet. The finisher group on 100% CCYM (diet 5) recorded the lowest feed intake possibly because of the dustiness of the feed. The body weight gain of the finisher broilers on diet 2 (25%) cooked cocoyam tubermeal compared favourably with the control group and was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those on other diets. It appeared that the finisher broilers could not tolerate high levels of cooked cocoyam meal due to dustiness of the feed and its anti-nutritional factors. The cost of production per kg finisher broilers was cheapest for diet 5(100% CCYM) (N356.72) and the costliest was for diet 3(50% CCYM) (N588.28). The internal organs expressed as percent of the live weight were not affected by the treatments. In terms of carcass characteristics, the finisher broilers on diet 2(25% CCYM) recorded the highest breast muscle which was significantly different (P<0.05) from other groups. There were no significant different (P>0.05) on percent back cut, drumstick, head, shank, thigh, neck and wings of the finisher broilers on all the treatments. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in percent dressed weight of the finisher broilers on cooked cocoyam based diets. The results of the trial have shown that cooking cocoyam corms (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) for 30 minutes was effective for reducing the cyanide oxalate, tannin, phytic acid and saponin content and that cooking did not affect the proximate composition of tannia. Cooked cocoyam tubermeal could be used to replace maize up to 25% in the diet of finisher broiler chicken without affecting body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio as indicated in this study.

scholarly journals Growth performance, blood profile and economic analysis of broilers fed fermented mixture of cassava flour and bovine blood (cassablood) based diets

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-262
Author(s):  
A.O. Aniebo
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion Ratio ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Cassava Flour ◽  
Biochemical Indices

The effect of dietary treatments on growth performance, haematological and biochemical indices of finisher broilers as well as economics of broiler production were determined in this experiment. Four broiler finisher diets were formulated with different inclusion levels of fermented cassava flour/blood mixture code-named “cassablood”. The control diet (T1) contained 0% cassablood, while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 20%, 25% and 30%  cassablood respectively. 120 four weeks old Anak broiler chicken were randomly allocated the 4 diets with 30 birds per treatment replicated 3 times with ten 10 broilers per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD).Treatment effects on final body weight, final weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were significant (P<0.05). Birds fed cassabloodbased diets compared favourably with the control diet. 20% cassablood inclusion performed equally with the control diet in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. All dietary groups also showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in most haematological and serum biochemical indices of broilers except in cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride contents which differed (P<0.05) significantly Similarly, chicken on 20% and 25% inclusion levels produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher economic gains in terms of feed cost per kilogram of broiler among all the treatments. Therefore, 20 - 25% cassablood dietary inclusion level was recommended in broiler diet for production and profit maximization.

scholarly journals Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler finishers fed processed Mucuna pruriens seed meal

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 86-92
Author(s):  
C. O. Akure ◽  
A. A. Sekoni ◽  
F. O. Abeke ◽  
P. A. Vantsawa ◽  
B. Babasanya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Seed Meal ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Final Weight ◽  
Ad Libitum

This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of 45 minutes Boiled Mucuna Seed Meal (BMSM) on the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler finisher chicks. In a four-week feeding trial, three hundred and fifteen (315),4-week old broiler chicks were  randomly allocated to five experimental treatment diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated thrice having twenty-one (21) birds per pen. Boiled Mucuna seed meal was prepared and fed in graded levels of 0.0% (control diet), 10.0%, 20.0%, 30.0%, and 40.0%BMSM. Feed and water were given to the birds ad libitum. The parameters measured and calculated include final weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed to gain ratio and feed cost per kilogram gain. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein; crude fibre, ash, nitrogen free extract and ether extract were also determined. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that dietary levels of inclusion of BMSM had significant (P<0.05) effect on these parameters. The final weight, the weight gain and feed intake of the birds fed 0.0%, 10.0% and 20.0%BMSM were statistically (P>0.05) similar and significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of other treatments. Cost of feed per birds and feed cost per kilogram gain were lower for all BMSB diets.Digestibility of nutrients was better for the birds fed the control,10.0 and 20.0%BMSM based diets. It was concluded that inclusion of BMSM in the diets of broiler finisher chicks up to20% has no deleterious effect on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of the birds.     Cette étude a été réalisée pour évaluer l'effet de 45 minutes de farine de graines de Mucuna (le 'BMSM') bouillie sur la performance de croissance et la digestibilité des éléments nutritifs des poussins finisseurs de poulet à griller. Dans un teste d'alimentation de quatre semaines, trois cent quinze (315), poussins de poulet de griller de 4 semaines ont été aléatoirement attribués à cinq régimes expérimentaux de traitement dans une conception complètement randomisée (le 'CRD'). Chaque traitement a été reproduit trois fois avec vingt et un (21) oiseaux par enclos. Le repas bouilli de graine de Mucuna a été préparé et alimenté dans les niveaux classés de 0.0% (régime de contrôle), 10.0%, 20.0%, 30.0%, et 40.0%BMSM. L'alimentation et l'eau ont été données aux oiseaux ad libitum. Les paramètres mesurés et calculés comprennent le poids final, le gain de poids, la prise d'aliments pour animaux, le rapport alimentation/gain et le coût des aliments pour animaux par gain kilogramme. La digestibilité de la matière sèche, protéines brutes; des fibres brutes, des cendres, de l'extrait sans azote et de l'extrait d'éther ont également été déterminés. Les données recueillies ont fait l'objet d'une analyse de la variance (ANOVA). Les résultats ont montré que les niveaux diététiques d'inclusion de 'BMSM' ont eu un effet significatif (P<0.05) sur ces paramètres. Le poids final, le gain de poids et la prise d'alimentation des oiseaux nourris 0.0%, 10.0% et 20.0%BMSM étaient statistiquement (P>0.05) semblables et significativement (P<0.05) plus élevés que ceux des autres traitements. Le coût de l'alimentation animale par oiseau et le coût de l'alimentation par kilogramme étaient inférieurs pour tous les régimes BMSB. La digestibilité des éléments nutritifs était meilleure pour les oiseaux alimentés le contrôle,10.0 et 20.0% BMSM régimes à base. Il a été conclu que l'inclusion du BMSM dans l'alimentation des poussins finisseurs de poulet de gril jusqu'à 20 % n'a aucun effet délétère sur la performance de croissance et la digestibilité des oiseaux en matière d'éléments nutritifs.

scholarly journals Growth Performance and Digestibility of Starter Broiler Chicks Fed Diets Containing Different Duration of Fermented Baobab (Adansonia digitata) Seed Meal

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 37-42
Author(s):  
I. Y. Gang ◽  
F. B. P. Abang ◽  
D. T. Shaahu
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
The Body ◽  
Seed Meal ◽  
Broiler Chicks ◽  
Adansonia Digitata ◽  
Final Body Weight

A nutrient retention and growth performance study were conducted with broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of different duration of fermented baobab seed meal (FBSM). Fermented baobab (Adansonia digitata) seeds were ground and incorporated in the diets at 12% dietary level. Diet 1 (control diet) had no BSM. Diet 2 had unfermented BSM. Diets 3, 4 and 5 had baobab seed meal (BSM) fermented for 48 h, 72 h and 96 h, respectively. Two hundred and forty (240) Arbor Acre chicks at one-week old were weighed and distributed to these dietary treatments. The five (5) treatments were replicated four (4) times in a completely randomized design, with 12 birds per replicate (48 per treatment). The diets did not significantly (p>0.05) influenced Feed intake, final body weight, feed conversion ratio and protein intake across treatments. The body weight gain and protein efficiency ratio of the chicks fed 96 h fermented BSM were not significantly (p>0.05) different with those fed control diet but were significantly (p<0.05) higher than chicks of other treatment groups. Starter broiler chicks fed T4 had significantly (p<0.05) higher nutrient digestibility parameters across treatments, except for EE and CF that were highly digested by chicks fed T3 and T1 respectively. In conclusion the performance of broiler chicks fed 96 h FBSM competed favorably with those fed control diet, whereas, chicks placed on 72 h FBSM recorded better result of nutrient digestibility.

scholarly journals Performance of rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of processed tallow (Detarium microcarpum) seed meal

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-70
Author(s):  
E. Z. Jiya ◽  
A. T. Ijaiya ◽  
A. O. Olorunsanya ◽  
B. A. Ayanwale
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Body Weight Gain ◽  
Palm Kernel ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Processing Method ◽  
Seed Meal ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Detarium Microcarpum

A twelve weeks experiment was conducted using eighty one (81) cross bred (Chinchilla x New Zealand white) weaned rabbits with average initial weights of 540g to evaluate the performance of rabbits fed diets containing graded levels of processed tallow (Detarium microcarpum) seed meal. The design of the experiment was 1 + 2/4 factorial and arranged as a completely randomized design (CRD). The rabbits were randomly allotted to nine treatment groups with nine rabbits per treatment. Each treatment had three replicates with three rabbits per replicate. Two processing methods (Cooking and Fermentation) were used to process tallow seeds. Control diet had 100% palm kernel cake (PKC) meal and 0% tallow seed meal, represented as T0. T1 – T4 contained cooked tallow seed meal (CTSM) and included as T1 (75% PKC : 25% CTSM); T2 (50% PKC : 50% CTSM); T3 (25% PKC : 75% CTSM) and T4 (0% PKC : 100% CTSM), While T5 – T8 had fermented tallow seed meal (FTSM) and included at the same levels as observed in the cooked diets. Data were collected on body weight, feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and nutrient digestibility were calculated. Only ash content was affected by the processing method in the result of nutrient digestibility. The results revealed that processing improves the nutritional quality of tallow seeds. Rabbits fed cooked tallow seed based diets revealed higher feed intake, final body weight and body weight gain compared to Rabbits fed diets containing fermented tallow seed. It was therefore concluded that cooking and fermentation methods are effective processing method for eliminating the anti-nutritional factors contained in tallow seeds and so can be included in the diets of weaned rabbits at 100 % replacement of PKC without deleterious effect on their growth performance.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document