Effect of diets containing graded levels of Irish potato peel meal (IPPM) on carcass quality, haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens

Abstract

In the search for alternative energy sources for poultry feeding, a 9-week experiment was conducted to ascertain the effect of diets containing graded levels of Irish potato peel meal (IPPM) for maize on haematological and blood biochemical profile of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty (240) Anak-2000 broiler chicks aged 6 days were randomly assigned to 12 floor pens containing 20 birds each. Four experimental diets, based on 23 and 20% crude protein in the starter and finisher respectively, were formulated to contain 0, 5, 10,15 % IPPM replacement for maize grain. Each treatment was replicated thrice in a complete randomised design. Data were collected on growth indices, haematological and blood biochemical profile. During the starter period (7-28 days), daily feed intake and feed cost/kg gain were not adversely affected by feeding the test ingredient, but weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were depressed above 5% replacement of maize with the test material. In the finisher phase (28-63 days), feed intake was significantly increased on the 15% replacement diet compared to the control but did not differ statistically amongst the treatment based diets. The highest daily gain was recorded on the 5% replacement diet, but its values did not differ markedly amongst the control, 10 and 15% diets. Feed conversion ratio was significantly increased above 10% replacement of maize with IPPM/YPM. There was no adverse effect of the test material on haematological and blood biochemical parameters as their values all fell within normal range.