Growth performance and feed utilization of Hubbard Classic chickens fed on boiled and sundried mango (Mangifera indica Linn.) seed kernel

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to study the effects of feeding boiled mango seed kernel (BMSK) on the growth performance and feed utilization parameters of Hubbard broiler chicks with the objective of recommending the optimum level of mango seed kernel inclusion in broiler feed. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with four treatments, each replicated three times with 13 birds each. One-hundred fifty-six-day-old chicks with uniform body weight (BW) were used and were distributed randomly to the four diets. The four treatment diets were control (T₁) (100% maize + 0% BMSK), T₂ (95% maize + 5% BMSK), T₃ (90% maize + 10% BMSK) and T₄ (85% maize + 15% BMSK). All the experimental chickens were weighted initially (initial BW) and lasted for 49 days during which growth performance traits were recorded. After 49 days, two birds from each replication were randomly selected and slaughtered to evaluate the effect of BMSK on the final body weight of the chicks. The results on average daily feed intake per bird for T₁ and T₂ were not significantly different, i.e., 71.4 and 70.8 g (P>0.05) but it was significantly higher than that of T₃ and T₄ which was 68.13 and 68.23 g. At the end of 7 weeks, the final BW of chicks fed on T₁ and T₂ were 2657 and 2644, not significantly different, but were significantly higher than that of T₃ and T₄ which were 2610 and 2603 g per bird, respectively. The Average daily BW gain (ADG) for the respective T₁ and T₂ was 53.4, 53.2 g and was significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of T₃ and T₄ which were 52.44 and 52.31 g per bird. The feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain) for T₁ and T₂ was 1.36, 1.36 and was significantly higher than that of T₃ and T₄ which were 1.33 and 1.33 g per bird, respectively. Inclusion of mango seed kernel up to 15% in broiler nutrition has no detrimental effect, profitable and can be best alternative feed sources in broiler feed if treated well by using the best technical methods of anti-nutritional factors like boiling.