Comparative carcass characteristics of indigenous turkey poults fed different agro-industrial by-products

Abstract

This work was undertaken to evaluate the effect of three agro-industrial by-products on the carcass characteristics of indigenous turkey poults. Sixty indigenous poults were brooded and fed broiler starter feed for the first 4 weeks of life. At the end of 4 weeks, forty-eight poults were randomly selected and distributed into four treatment diets. Each dietary treatment had twelve poults with six poults per replicate. The experiment lasted ten weeks. The result showed that poults fed palm kernel meal had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight (3175.0g) when compared with others (Diet 1 = 2275.0g, Diet 2 = 2425.0g, and Diet 3 = 2625.0g). This same pattern was noticed in the mean dressed weight though not significant. The cut-parts showed no significant (P>0.05) difference and followed no definite pattern. The replacement of 40% of maize with palm kernel meal in turkey poult's grower ration proved more advantageous than replacement with wheat offal, rice husk and the control diet.

Key words: Turkey poults, carcass characteristics and agro-industrial by-products