Growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels NatuzymeTM treated groundnut shell.

Abstract

Two hundred and seventy (270), day old chicks were used in a completely randomized design experimental layout to test the growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed single phase diets containing natuzyme™ treated groundnut shell at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 % inclusion levels. The treatments were designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 respectively and replicated thrice with 15 birds per replicate. The experiment lasted 56 days. Parameters evaluated included: final body weight daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Nutrient digestibility was also carried out. Results show significant (P<0.05) effect of dietary treatments on all parameters measured at the starter phase. However, significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in the values of final body weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the finisher phase. Dietary treatments significantly influenced nutrient digestibility parameters determined except dry matter digestibility. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in the results of growth performance with the control diets having higher values compared to all other treatments, However, broiler chickens fed up to 25 % levels compared well with the control. It was therefore concluded that natuzyme treated groundnut shell can be included in the diets of broiler chickens up to 25 % level without any detrimental effect on the growth performances of broiler chickens.

Key words: Growth performance, nutrient digestibility, natuzyme™, broiler chickens, ground nut shell.