Growth performance of broiler chicks fed Aspergillus niger- fermented Terminalia catappa seed meal-based diet

Abstract

Forty-five, day-old broiler chicks with an initial average weight of 30.25±2.40 g were divided into three groups of fifteen animals each. The first group was placed on soybean-based (control) diet; the second group on raw (unfermented) T. catappa seed meal-based diet; and the third on A. niger-fermented T. catappa seed meal-based diet, for seven (7) weeks. Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, average weekly body weight gain and mortality were monitored. Though significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control, the animals placed on the fermented T. catappa seed meal-based diet had significant increase in their feed intake, feed conversion ratio and body weight gain when compared with those on the raw T. catappa seed meal-based diet. Thirty-three percent (33%) mortality was recorded in broilers on raw T. catappa seed meal-based diet while no mortality was recorded in those placed on fermented seed meal-based and the control diets. The organ to body weight ratio of the broilers placed on the raw T. catappa seed meal-based diet indicate enlargement of the liver and gizzard in relation to the body when compared with both the control and the A. niger-fermented T. catappa seed meal-based diet. It is considered that the use of A. niger-fermented T. catappa seed meal as a source of protein in poultry feed, would enhance growth performance and prevent mortality.

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Keywords: Aspergillus niger, Terminalia catappa, fermentation, broilers, growth performance.