ABSTRACT

The efficacy of three dietary fibre sources supplemented with "bio-growth promoter on the performance of finishing broiler chickens were comparatively evaluated. Four diets were formulated and supplemented with 500g of "bio-growth promoter'. Diet 1 (Control and Maize based) had no fibre source. Diet 2 had 12% of brewers' dried grain; diet 3 had5% of palm kernel cake, while diet 4 had 20% of maize offal. Other ingredients were adjusted in such a way that the diets met nutrient requirement of finishing broilers. A total of 120 broilers of 4 weeks old were divided into 4 groups of 30 birds each and each group was randomly assigned to one of the 4 experimental diets in a Completely Randomized Design. Each group was replicated 3 times and each replicate of 10 birds were housed in a pen each. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. The data collected included initial body weight, final body weight, feed intake, feed-to-gain ratio. Protein and energy requirement as well as economics of production were determined. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The experiment lasted 35 days. The final body weight value showed significant difference (P<0.05) among treatments means, with treatment 4 having the highest value (2135.00g). Body weight gain in birds fed diets 2 and 3 were comparable. The feed intake of birds for diets 2, 3 and 4 were similar, while that of diet 1 was significant (P<0.05). Feed-to-gain ratio was significantly different (P<0.05) amongst groups but similar for birds fed diets 2 and 3, while birds fed diet 4 had the best value (2.33). Daily protein (g) required for maintenance ranged between 0.31 and 0.76 while that for tissue and feather ranged from 5.22 and 18.22 and 1.43 and 6.00 respectively. Feed cost per kg decreased from N61 .11 to N53.66. Cost per total feed intake had a significant difference amongst all groups. Cost saving was higher for birds fed diets 2, 3 and 4 with a better cost benefit ratio of 6.74, 6.22, and 6.47. It is therefore, concluded that fibre sources can replace maize in the diets of finishing broilers if supplemented with bio-growth promoter. Diets 3 and 4 are therefore, recommended while diet 2 is also an option in formulating feeds for finishing broilers.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE PAGES

- Certification . .. ... ...

Declaration ... ... ... ii

Dedication ....... iii

Acknowledgment .............................. iv

Table of Contents ...................................................v - vi

List of Tables vii

List of Figures.................. viii

Abstract ix - x

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Statement of Problem 2

1.2 Justification 2 - 3

1.3 Objectives of the Study 3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Broiler Chicken: A Means of Improving Animal Protein intake in humans .4

2.2 Dietary Fibre Sources as a Means of Enhancing Broiler Production .........4 - 6

2.3 Nature and Composition of Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) 6 - 7

2.4 Palm Kernel Cake in Broiler Diets......... ........................ 7 -8

2.5 Nature and Composition of Brewer's Dried Grain .................................8-

2.6 Brewers Dried Grain in Poultry Diets........................... 9 - 10

2.7 Nature and Composition of Maize Offal........................ ....10 -11

2.8 Effect of Fibre on Nutrient Utilization of Broilers 11

2.9 The Use of Enzymes in Feed Industry.............................. 12-14

CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Experimental Site 15

3.2 Sources of Ingredients of the Experimental Diet...............................15

3.3 Experimental Diet.......................................... .........15

3.4 Test Ingredient ... ... 15 - 16

3.5 Experimental Birds and Design 16

3.6 Data Collection ................................. 16

3.7 Determination of Protein and Energy Consumption by Broiler Chicks

3.7.1 Protein Consumed for Tissue Growth 17

3.7.2 Protein Consumed for Maintenance 17

3.7.3 Protein Consumed for Feather Growth 18

3.7.4 Energy Consumed 18

3.8 Economics of Production of Birds ... .19

Productive Performance of the Experimental Birds

Body Weights

4.1.3 Average Feed Intake ... ... 24

4.14 The Feed—to- Gain Ratio 25

4.2 Protein and Energy Consumption of Experimental Birds 26

4.2.1 Protein Consumed ......................................... 34

4.2.2 Energy Consumed 34 - 35

4.3 Economics of Production 36 -37

CHAPTER 5: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.0 Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation 38

References 39-48

Appendix ...... 50-59