Replacement value of raw bambara seed (Vigna subterranean (L) Verdc) offal for soybean meal on the performance of starter broiler chicks

Abstract

One hundred and fifty (150) unsexed day old Marshal strain of broiler chicks were used in a 28 day feeding trial where 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% levels of raw bambara seed offal (BSO), replaced soybean meal weight for weight in a completely randomized design with 30 birds in each treatment. Each of the five treatments was further replicated three times to obtain 10 birds per replicate. Routine vaccination and medication typical of boilers management were strictly adhered to. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The initial live weight, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversation ration, feed cost/kg, feed cost/kg gain and mortality were measured. Results showed that both the final live weight and weight gain differed significantly (p<0.05) between treatment means and declined as the inclusion level of raw bambara seed offal increased from 0% in control to 20% in diet. Average daily weight gain was statistically similar (p>0.05) for control, 5% and 10% BSO diet groups (0.018, 0.018 and 0.018 kg respectively) and differed significantly (p<0.05) from those of 15% and 20% BSO inclusion diet groups. Daily feed intake was similar (p>0.05) for birds on 10%, 15% and 20% BSO and different (p<0.05) from those of control and 5% BSO, which were similar (p>0.05) and lower in their values. Feed conversion ratio differed significantly (p<0.05) between treatment means but not between the control and 5% BSO group, which converted better than the other treatments. Both feed cost/kg and feed cost/kg gain differed significantly (p<0.05) between treatment means and decreased as the inclusion rate of BSO increased. Mortality was low and differed significantly (p<0.05) but did not follow any trend. These results show that raw bambara seed offal could replace soybean up to 10% in the diets of starter broiler chicks.

Keywords: Starter broiler, chicks, feed, bambara seed offal, soybean meal

International Journal of Natural and Applied Sciences, 6(3): 321-325, 2010