The effect of graded levels of grains of selim on the performance, gut microbial population and carcass characteristics of finisher broilers was investigated. Two hundred and four (204) 28 days old broiler chicks (Marshal breed) were randomly allotted to four treatments with each treatment having three replicates of 17 chicks each in a completely randomized design. Finely blended grains of selim was administered through drinking water on treatments 2, 3 and 4 at concentrations of 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 g per litre while chicks on treatment 1 (control) received 1.0 g per 1.5 litre of antibiotics (Gendox). Chicks were fed ad libitum with isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 20% crude protein and 3000 Kcal/kg metabolisable energy for four weeks. Results showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences among treatments in the final body weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain, total feed intake, daily feed intake and feed:gain ratio. There were differences in the microbial population of the gastro-intestinal tract with colony count decreasing as the concentration of grains of selim increases. Carcass characteristics and organ weights were similar (P > 0.05) except for thigh and spleen weights, and large intestine lengths where differences (P < 0.05) exist. Mortality ranged from 8.47% - 13.47% across treatments. The results indicated that grains of selim have antimicrobial and anthelminthic properties, and promote growth in broiler chickens
The effect of replacing groundnut cake with urea-treated and fermented brewer's dried grains at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% graded levels in cockerel chicks at 0-8weeks of age was investigated. Five diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to provide 20% crude protein and 2684.06 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Three hundred day old cockerel chicks (Isa Brown breed) were randomly allocated to five treatment groups replicated thrice with 20 cockerel chicks per replicate, fed and watered ad libitum in deep litter pens for 8 weeks. There were significant (P > 0.05) differences in mean body weights, daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, haematological indices and organ weights of cockerel chicks fed the control and urea-treated and fermented BDG diets. Cockerel chicks fed the control diet were significant (P>0.05) better in weight performance. Organs weight response were similar to body weight gain pattern.
The effect of replacing groundnut cake (GNC) with enzyme supplemented brewer's dried grains (BDG) at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% graded levels in cockerel chicks diets was investigated. Five dietary treatments were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to provide 23% crude protein and 2895.77 Kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Two hundred and twenty five day old cockerel chicks (Abor-Acre breed) were randomly allocated to five treatments replicated thrice with 15 chicks per replicate, fed and watered ad libitum in deep litter pens for 4 weeks. Means of body weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed: gain ratio of cockerel chicks fed the control diet, 25 and 50% enzyme supplemented brewer's dried grains diets were significantly (P < 0.05) better than those fed 75 and 100% inclusion levels. Mortality was approximately 6%. It was economically more profitable to use enzyme supplemented BDG in replacing GNC in cockerel chicks diets.
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