Performance Of Finisher Broiler Chickens As Affected By Different Proportions Of Cooked Cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata ) In The Grower-Finisher Diet
This study was carried out for 4 weeks at the Research Experimental Farm (FAR) of the University of Dschang-Cameroon, on the feeding of broilers with cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) as a source of protein, which replaced animal meal (CMAV 10%) in the finisher diet. The objective was to evaluate the eff...
Saved in:
Published in | African journal of food, agriculture, nutrition, and development : AJFAND Vol. 10; no. 4; pp. 2427 - 2438 |
---|---|
Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Kenya
Rural Outreach Program
01.04.2010
|
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
Cover
Loading…
Summary: | This study was carried out for 4 weeks at the Research Experimental
Farm (FAR) of the University of Dschang-Cameroon, on the feeding of
broilers with cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata ) as a source of protein,
which replaced animal meal (CMAV 10%) in the finisher diet. The
objective was to evaluate the effect of the incorporation level of
cooked cowpea on the production performances of broilers in the
grower-finisher diet, so cooking could be an easy solution to local
farmers if proven efficient. A total of 160 male broiler chicks, 21
days old and weighing 416.32g on average, were randomly distributed
into 32 experimental units of 4 birds each. Each of the five
experimental diets: F0, F1, F2, F3 and F4 containing 0% (control), 15%,
20%, 25%, and 30% of cooked cowpea was respectively allocated to 8
experimental units in a completely randomised design comprising 5
treatments with 4 replicates each. Cowpea grains bought from the local
market were cooked for 3 minutes in a pressure cooker at the
temperature of about 115°C under a pressure of 155Pa. Cooked
grains were sun-dried for one week (under a temperature of about
28-32°C) to a humidity level of about 11%. Parameters measured
were feed consumption, live weight and weight gain, feed conversion
ratio, feeding cost for the production of one kg live weight, carcass
yields, proportions of different parts analysed and the creatinine
level in the chickens' serum. The results showed that there was
no significant difference (P>0.05) between treatment groups for
total feed consumption. Live weight (1941.93±77.74g and
1804.21±271.73g), weight gain (1207.61±71.50g and
1094.93±177.16g), and feed conversion ratio (2.79 ±0.15 and
3.02 ±0.46) recorded for the F3 group (25% cooked cowpea) and F4
(30% cooked cowpea) respectively were statistically significant
(P<0.01) as compared with the other groups. The F3 and F4 rations
induced the highest feeding cost for the production of one kg live
weight (P>0.01) during the whole experimental period. F0, F1 and F2
broilers were comparable for these parameters. All the treatment groups
were not statistically different (P>0.05) for carcass yield,
proportions of organs and serum creatinine level. It was concluded that
up to 20% of cooked cowpea could be used in the finisher diet without
negatively affecting feed consumption, live weight, weight gain, feed
conversion ratio, feeding cost for the production of one Kg live weight
and carcass quality of broilers. |
---|---|
ISSN: | 1684-5358 1684-5358 1684-5374 |
DOI: | 10.4314/ajfand.v10i4.55333 |