Effects of various protein sources on performance and cost-benefit analysis of broilers finisher chickens

Abstract

A total of 120 Marshal strain of broiler chickens, aged four weeks were used to investigate the efficacy of different protein sources in enhancing productive and carcass indices of finishing broiler chickens. The birds were randomly allotted to four treatment groups of 30 birds with three replications. They were fed fairly iso-caloric-iso- nitrogenous diet of varying protein sources. The e diets were based of full-fat soyabeans meal ((T|), groundnut Meal (Tz), groundnut meal with sobyabeans (T3) and soyabeans with cottonseed meal (T4). Of all the responses measured, no significant difference was observed in terms of live weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The T[ (soyabean based) group and T4 (cottonseed-soyabeans based) groups recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher feed intake than Tz and T3. Live weight also followed similar trend with T2
being the least. Dressing percentage and abdominal fat did not differ significantly, however, other cut-up parts were in favour ofTi and T4. The study concluded that, the use of soyabeans and cottonseed cake is most rewarding for finishing broiler chickens.

Keywords: Protein Sources, Broiler, Cost-Benefit

Sahel Journal of Veterinary Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 26-31