ABSTRACT

A comparative evaluation of the effect of four animal protein sources in broiler ration was carried out using 150- day-old broiler chicks in a completely randomized design experiment. The study lasted for seven weeks. The 150- unsexed chicks of Anak strain were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatments, each having 3 replicates of 10 chicks. The diets were designated as diets 1,2,3,4 and 5. Diet 1 (control) had no animal proteir, while the others respectively contained 2.5% of Danish fishmeal, locally processedfishmeal (fish waste meal), shrimp waste meal and grasshopper meal. Each diet was offered ad-lib to the birds. Proximate analysis showed that the test ingredients in diets 2,3,4 and 5 respectively had a crude protein content of 61.34%,40 .48%, 45.25%, and 35.77%. The gross energy obtained were 2614 kca/kg, 2689 kcal/kg, 2635 kcal/kg and 1917 kcal/kg in that same order. There was significant difference (P <0.05) in the total feed intake among birds fed diet 2 (41 .28.9g) and diet 1 (4976. 18g), diet 4 (4639.8g) and diet 5 (4793.4g). The feed —to-gain ratio were not significantly different (P>0.05) among birds fed all otherdiets except diet 1 which had the poorest FGR (3.4). The total weight gain observed in birds fed diet 4 (1784.5g) were similar to those fed diet 5 (18'34.5g). and both differed significantly (P< 0.05) from diet 1 (1466.3g) and diet3 (1540.og). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) observed in the percentage gizzard, liver, kidney and heart of the birds fed the varying diets. The nutrient utilization analysis showed no significant variation (P>0.05) in the percent nitrogen and energy retention values amongst the diets. Nitrogen retention were improved in birds fed diets 4 (71 .65%) and 5 (71. 26%). The energy intake required for maintenance ix was statistically similar between diets 3 and 4. Also, diets 2 and 5 were similar in energy intake. Birds fed diet 4 had the highest requirement for energy and protein intake (228.240kca1/ME and 18.583g respectively). There were significant differences (P

<0.05) in the total daily protein requirement for tissue and feather growth amongst the varying diets. Significant differences (P><0.05) were observed in the crude protein, ether extract, ash and gross energy of the carcasses of the birds fed the varying diets. The carcass from birds fed diet 4 had the highest crude protein value (38.927%) while diet 5 produced carcass with 6. 483% ether extract and gross energy of 2600k cal/kg. The cost analysis indices showed significant differences (P><0.05). Diet 5 was the cheapest per kilogram (N 35.72). Savings was improved with the use of diet 5 considering the net return (21.38%). Diet 1 gave the least gross margin (N130.24). From the foregoing, the grasshopper meal and shrimp waste meal had no adverse effect on the performance and economics of production of the birds. This is an indication that satisfactory animal protein can be prepared from these unconventional sources>