Growth performance and blood profile of broiler chicken fed four (4) different alternative sources of methionine

Abstract

One hundred and fifty day old broiler chicks were used in 56 days feeding trial to determine the effect of four different types of natural sources of methionine on performance of broiler chicken. Five broiler starter and finisher diets were formulated such that Diet 1 was the control and contained the DL – methionine, while Diet 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 2.5% Moringa oleifera seed (MOS), Boiled Jatropha seed (BJS), Hibiscus sabdariffa seed (HSS) and Cashew nut seed (CNS) respectively. The birds were randomly allotted to the five diets in a completely randomized design. Each treatment comprised of three replicates of ten (10) birds per replicates. Performance, blood and economic analysis were monitored. The result showed that final weight (217.33 – 249.33g), daily weight gain (6.30 – 7.63g) and feed conversion ratio (2.37 – 3.2) were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the treatments, except average daily feed intake and mortality which were significantly (p<0.05) affected by the treatments. The result of blood profile showed that WBC (2.49 – 3.00 (x10⁹/L)), RBC (2.06 – 2.52(x10⁶/ml)), MCV (117.73 – 120.17(fl)) and PLT (19.67 – 22.33 (cells/l)) which fall within the normal range were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the treatments, except Hb, PCV, MCH, MCHC which wsere significantly (P<0.05) affected by the treatments. All biochemical indices were not significantly (P> 0.05) affected by the treatment except cholesterol and globulin. Cost of feeding/kg and cost of feed consumed per bird was lowest in T1 (#131.00) and was highest in T5 (#218.00). Feed cost/kg gain was highest in T5 (#496.75) but lowest in T3 (#221.24), while total weight gain/kg was highest in T4 (1.77kg). Cost of feeding/kg and cost of feed consumed per bird was lowest in T1 (#131.00) and was highest in T5 (#218.00). T4 (#156.00) was lowest since it contains less anti nutritional factors than the counterpart T3 (#156.00). Feed cost/kg gain was highest in T5 (#496.75) but lowest in T3 (#221.24), while total weight gain/kg was highest in T4 (1.77kg). Based on this study, replacement of DL – methionine with 2.5% HSS could result in higher profit margin for poultry farmers because most of the time, consumers prefer heavy birds with high cost than light bird with lower cost.