ABSTRACT

A 56-day feeding trial involving sixty (60) 8 weeks old turkey poults was conducted to evaluate the organ and carcass characteristics of grower turkeys fed varying dietary levels of Toasted Bambara Groundnut Offal. The poults were divided into five (5) dietary treatments in which toasted Bambara Groundnut offal was incorporated at levels of 0 (control), 7.5, 15. 22.5 and 30%, designated diet T1, T2, T3, T4and T5respectively, Twelve (12) birds were allocated in a treatment which was replicated three (3) times with four (4) birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The birds were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and weekly thereafter. Experimental diet and water were provided ad libitum. At sixteen (16) weeks of age and 56th day of the experiment, a bird per replicate was weighed, selected, starved of feed for 12 hours and slaughtered for evaluation of carcass and organ characteristics. Parameters measured were live weight at slaughter. eviscerated weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, cut parts (Back, Breast, wing, Drumstick etc.) and organs (abdominal fat, gizzard and proventriculus, liver, kidney, heart etc.). The result of the experiment shows that birds fed T5had significant (P <0.05) heavier live weight at slaughter (2763.33g) eviscerated weight (2006.67g) and dressed weight (1838.67g) than birds fed diet Ti [live weight at slaughtered (2133.33g), Eviscerated weight (1583.33g), Dressed weight (1463.33)], T2 [live weight at slaughter (2583.33g), Eviscerated weight (1903.33g), Dressed weight (1749.67)], T3 live weight at slaughter (2433.33g), Eviscerated weight (1766.67), Dressed weight (1616. 67) and T4 [live weight at slaughter (2613.33g), Eviscerated weight (1916.67g), Dressed weight (1763.33g)]. Dressing percentage of birds in diet Ti(68.52%) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than birds in diet T3(66.43%) and similar to birds in diet T2(67.80%), T4(67.48) and T5(67.43). In cut parts, breast of birds fed Ti(16.64%) had significant (P < 0.05) different to birds in diet T4(14.42%) and similar to birds in T2(16.13%), T3(15.82%) and T5(15.48), neck of birds fed diet T4(5 .04%) differ significantly (P <0.05) to birds fed diet Ti(4. 75%) and similar to birds in diet T2(4.89%). T3(4.96) and T5(4.92%). However, birds fed diet T5had similar live weight at slaughter, eviscerated weight and dressed weight to birds fed diet T2, T3 and T4. In organ characteristics, parameters measured were lungs (0.59%), liver (1.52%), abdominal fat (0.38%) of birds fed diet T5differ significantly (P <0.05) to birds fed diet T1lung (0.57%), Liver (1.43%), abdominal fat (0.29%) and similar to birds fed T2lung (0.61%), liver (1.56%), abdominal fat (0.34%), T3lung (0.63%), liver (1.53%), abdominal fat (0.35%) and T4lung (0.62%), liver (1.52%), abdominal fat (0.36%). The inclusion of toasted Bambara groundnut offal in the diets do not significantly (P>0.05) influence parameters like back cut, wing, drumstick, thigh, shank and head. The result of this trial suggests that toasted Bambara groundnut offal diet could be incorporated in turkeys grower ration up to 30% without adversely affecting organ and carcass characteristics of grower turkeys.