GROWTH RESPONSE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING DIFFERENTLY PROCESSED BAOBAB SEED MEAL AT FINISHER PHASE

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the growth response and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed diets containing differently processed baobab seed meal at finisher phase. The following processing methods served as the treatments (raw, cooked, toasting, fermentation and sprouted) alongside the control. One hundred and eighty (180) broilers chickens were used for the study. Each treatment was replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD) and lasted for 21 days. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means separated using Duncan’s multiple range tests. Final live weight
of the chickens fed control diet (T1) was significantly (P<0.05) higher those fed diets T3 – T5 but similar to T2 (raw) and sprouted (T6). The pattern of feed intake at this phase showed that chickens fed baobab based diets T2 – T5 were similar and significantly inferior to control diet and T6 despite the processing methods. The different processing methods did not affect body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio of broiler finisher fed baobab seed meal. The carcass yield and cuts differed significantly (P<0.05) at 10% inclusion of processed baobab seed meal. The study showed sprouted as the best among processing methods