Effects of Dietary Substitution of Rubber Seed Cake for Groundnut Cake on the Body Conformations of Finisher Broilers

Abstract

Three hundred (300) five weeks old, Anak broilers were used in a 4-week experiment to determine the effect of dietary substitution of rubber seed cake for groundnut cake on the performance of broilers at the finisher phase. Graded levels of rubber seed cake (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) substituted corresponding levels of groundnut cakes in five treatments (A, B, C, D and E respectively), which were further replicated five times in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum to the experimental birds, while vaccinations and necessary medications were promptly administered to sustain good health and immunity. Body weights were measured weekly in all the treatments. Carcass characteristics were also determined at the end of the experiments. The average weights of the broilers at four weeks were 1368.40±23.37; 1359.00±18.49, 1997.00±23.55; 1457.00±20.84 and 1366.00±15.35 for treatments A, B, C, D and E respectively. Results showed that treatment C had significantly (p<0.05) improved body weight, shank length, wing length, body height, body length, thigh length and leg length.