The effects of increasing dietary inclusion levels of baobab seed oilcake (BSOC) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and yield in Ross 308 broiler chicks were assessed. Dietary treatments (T) consisted of four levels of BSOC: T1, control (0% BSOC); T2, 5% BSOC; T3, 10% BSOC; and T4, 15% BSOC. Birds on T2 and T1 had the highest bodyweight (BW) on days 14 and 28, respectively. Feed intake (FI) was highest during the periods of 1 to 7 days and 15 to 21 days in T2 birds. From 15 to 21 days, Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was highest in T3 birds. Significant differences were noted in slaughter and carcass weights among the treatments. Although no significant differences were observed in dressing percentages among treatments, birds in T1 had a higher dressing percentage, followed by those on T2. There were no statistical differences in carcass yield among the treatments. Calculations for revenue and gross margin showed that feed costs were lower in T4 and higher in T2 in the starter phase. In in the grower phase, feed costs were lower in T4 and higher in T3. The gross margin was higher in T1 and lower in T2 in the starter phase. During the grower phase it was higher in T1 and lower in T4. It was concluded that the inclusion of 5% BSOC at most could improve growth performance. Additionally, increasing levels of BSOC reduced feed costs, with a reduction in the gross margin in the grower stage of broilers. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed oilcake has been proven a potential low-cost and locally available protein source for various livestock diets. A study was conducted to determine growth performance, carcass characteristics and organ sizes of finisher broilers fed a commercial finisher diet supplemented with baobab seed oilcake. Three-week-old ROSS 308 broiler chicks (n = 160) that were reared on a starter and grower commercial diets for the first three weeks were allotted to one of four broiler finisher dietary treatments (10 chicks/pen, four replications/treatment) using a completely randomised design. The broiler finisher diets were: control diet, which was a commercial finisher diet (T1), T2 contained 6 g/kg baobab seed oilcake plus maize mash (BSOCMM) mixed with 114 g/kg commercial finisher diet; T3 contained 18 g/kg BSOCMM mixed with 102 g/kg commercial finisher diet; while T4 contained 30 g/kg BSOCMM mixed with 90 g/kg commercial finisher diet. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in the growth parameters among the treatments. However, the birds on T2 had a higher feed conversion ratio and average daily gains. Final body weights at day 35 were not significantly (P > 0.05) different, but T3 and T4 birds had the highest values numerically. There were significant (P < 0.05) differences in the carcass weights and dressing percentages among the treatments. The T4 birds had the highest dressing percentage (P < 0.05) compared to T2, which had the lowest. The cut portion yield (thigh, wing, breast and feet) of the carcass were not significantly (P > 0.05) different among the treatments. However, the drumstick yield was significantly (P < 0.05) different among the treatments. Organ sizes showed no significant (P > 0.05) differences among treatments, except for the gizzard and the heart, which differed (P < 0.05) among treatments. The study concluded that the inclusion of 6–30 g/kg of BSOC blended with maize mash as partial supplementation to a commercial diet can improve final body weights without negatively affecting the feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass characteristics in the broiler.

No abstract