Effects of Graded Levels of Pigeon Pea Meal on Growth Performance and Organ Characteristics of Finisher Broilers

Abstract

Two hundred (200) five weeks old broiler birds of Anak breed from a commercial hatchery were used to investigate the effects of replacing soybean meal with pigeon pea meal in finisher broilers. The birds were fed on 0, 50, 75 and 100% dietary inclusions of toasted pigeon pea as replacement for soybean in a 28 day feeding trial.  Significant interaction between dietary levels of pigeon pea and soybean were observed on feed efficiency and weight gain (p<0.05). Increase in dietary levels of pigeon pea reduced feed transit time in gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) (p<0.05), while supplementary soybean had the opposite effect (p<0.05). There were significant differences (p<0.05) between birds in various internal organ characteristics, with birds on the control diet having significantly (p<0.05) lower values than birds on T₂, T₃ and T₄ in all the parameters measured. It was concluded that broiler birds could tolerate up to 75% dietary levels of pigeon pea without detrimental effects on performance and nutrient retention.