ABSTRACT

Crude protein requirements of broiler chickens placed on straight diets was investigated using two hundred and fourty (240) one week old, Agritech broiler chickens. They were randomly allotted into four (4) dietary treatments. Each treatment had 60 birds with 6 replicates and 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were given ad libitum. The experiment lasted 48 days. Four diets were used and designated as Ti, T2, T3 and T4 which contained different crude protein levels of 22.50% CP, 22.00% CP, 21.50% CP and 21.00%CP with 2900.46, 2901.06, 2900.46 and 2901.06kcal/g metabolizable energy levels, respectively. Growth performance, cut parts, organs weight and economics of diet were evaluated. Blood samples were collected at 4th and 8th weeks of experiment and used to determine serum chemistry indices namely albumin, creatinine, cholesterol, total protein, urea and globulin and haematological parameters such as HB, PCV, RBC, MCH, MCHC and WBC. Growth performance results showed significant (P<0.05) difference for all the parameters measured.Ti had the least feed conversion ratio of 2.90 relative to others 3.21, 3.30 and 3.10 for T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Cut parts showed no significant (P> 0.05) difference except dressed weight. Organ weight showed no significant (P> 0.05) difference for all the parameters measured. Biochemical indices were within the normal range for broiler chickens except for creatinine and urea. Haematological indices were not within the normal range established for broiler chicken except for MCH and WBC. For feed cost analysis, Tl had the least cost /kg weight gain of N359.95 among others (N400.83, N408.91, N391.39 for T2, T3 and T4 respectively). Also, Ti had the highest gross margin of 141410.64 relative to (N1070.52, N1172.82 and N1782.75 for T2, T3, T4 respectively). In conclusion, Ti (22.50%), had the least feed conversion ratio, comparable prime parts (cut part), organ weight, biochemical indices, normal haematological parameter, least cost/kg weight gain and highest gross margin. This makes it a choice diet and hence recommended.