Growth Response and Carcass Traits of Birds Fed Diets Containing Three Differently Processed Discarded Vegetable-Bovine Blood-Rumen Content Mixtures

Abstract

A total of 1,080 day-old Marshal broilers were fed diets containing discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P1), discarded vegetable-ensiled bovine blood-fresh rumen digesta (P2) and discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) at three levels of inclusion (0, 3 and 6 %) at the starter phase while 540 of the birds were transferred and redistributed in the finisher phase. Data on growth response, blood profile and carcass characteristics were taken. At the 8th week of the study, 3 broiler chickens were randomly selected from each replicate for carcass evaluation. Data were subjected to Completely Randomized Design in a 3 x 3 factorial experimental layout. At the starter phase, results showed that birds fed P1 and P3 had significantly (P<0.05) higher final weight but birds fed P3 had the highest (P<0.05) survivability percentage compared with P1.The interaction of processing methods and levels of inclusion significantly (P<0.05) influenced the performance characteristics measured. In the interaction between processing methods and levels of inclusion showed a decrease (P<0.05) in the final weight as the levels of inclusion of P1 and P2 increased at the starter phase. At the finisher phase, the feed intake increased with increased levels of inclusion. The interaction between processing methods and levels of inclusion significantly (P<0.05) affected the performance characteristics measured Results of the carcass characteristics showed that birds fed 3% inclusion of P2 had the least (P<0.05) thigh weight while those fed 6% inclusion of P1 had the least value for abdominal fat. This study revealed that for enhanced growth performance; broiler chickens could be fed diets containing discarded vegetable-fresh bovine blood-ensiled rumen digesta (P3) up to 6% level of inclusion.

Keywords: Growth response; carcass traits; processed mixtures; discarded vegetable; bovine blood; rumen content.