Optimum Substitution Level Of Maize With Spent Grain In Broiler Finisher Production

Abstract

Sixty 28 - day old Anak broiler chicks were used in a 42 – day feeding trial to assess the performance of finisher broiler chicks fed varying dietary substitution levels of spent grain for maize. The birds were grouped into four treatments. Each treatment was further replicated three times in a completely randomized design. The substitution levels of spent grain for maize were 0%, 5% 10% and 15% for treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4
respectively. Response parameters were, initial body weight, weekly body weight gain, daily body weight gain, final body weight, breast width, thigh/shank length thigh circumference, wing length, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality. Other parameters include, dressed weight, breast weight, thigh weight, drumstic weight, and wing weight. Liver, gizzard, heart, lung and intestine weights were also measured. The internal organ weights were expressed as percentage of live weights. Cost of total feed intake per bird, cost of per kilogram weight gain per bird were also calculated. Results revealed that there were significant differences (P<0.05), between treatments on average weekly body weight gain, total feed intake, feed conversion ratio, final live weight, dressed weight, thigh weight, thigh/shank length, internal organ weights, cost of total feed
intake and cost per kilogram weight gain per bird.. However, treatment means for average cost total feed intake per bird, breast weight, drumstic weight, thigh circumference, breast weight, gizzard weight and wing length were not statistically difference (P>0.05).

Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences Vol. 5 (1) 2007: pp. 21-28