Effect of cooked pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) seed meal on the performance of broiler chicks

Abstract

Two hundred seven day old broilers were used to determine the effect of cooked pigeon pea seed meal (CPSM) on the performance of broiler chicks. The brown coat coloured pigeon pea seeds were cooked for one hour, sun-dried and milled. CPSM was included in the broiler starter diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 at 0, 20, 30, 40 and 50% levels respectively to replace maize and soybean meal. Data on weight gain, feed intake were recorded and used to calculate the feed conversion ratio. Feed cost and cost of feed per kg weight gain was also determined. The results of this study indicated a slight reduction in crude protein content of pigeon pea seed meal after cooking. CPSM significantly (P<0.05) depressed weight gain progressively with increasing dietary level. Birds on diets 3, 4 and 5 did not indicate any significant (P>0.05) difference in weight gain. Birds on diet 1 recorded the highest feed intake, which was significantly (P<0.05) different from birds on diets 2, 3, 4 and 5. However, birds on diet 1 recorded the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.99) and the least feed cost per kg weight gain (N54.60), though with the highest cost of feed per kg (N27.44).


(Journal of Agriculture and Social Research: 2003 3(1): 1-12)