ABSTRACT

The effect of some additives in the water on the performance of broilers was evaluated in this study. The additives used were honey, orange juice, glucose and milk added in the concentration of lOOmi/lit, 200m1/lit, 40g/lit, and 40g/lit, respectively. The experiment constituted five treatments namely treatment one (water only), two (water and honey), three (water and orange juice), four (water and glucose), five (water and milk). Commercial broiler starter and finisher diets were fed to the birds. A total of seventy five unsexed broiler birds of Marshal breeds were used in the study. They were randomly allotted to five treatments replicated into 3 with 5 birds per replicate giving a total of 15 birds per treatment in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) experiment. The final weight of broilers supplemented with treatment additive 5(1966.70g) was significantly higher (j<O.OS) than treatment 2(1753.00g) and treatment 4 (1 890.00g) while that supplemented with treatment additive I and 3 had the least. The feed intake of broilers served with treatment 3 and 5 was significantly greater (p<O.05) than others. The average weight gain of broilers in treatment 5(34.42g) was significantly higher (p<O.05) than others with treatment 3 being the least (27.63g). The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds served treatment 3 was significantly higher (p<O.05) than others. There was no significant difference (p>O.0S) in mortality rate. The dressed weights of birds on treatment 4 and 5 were 78.58% and 78.73% respectively which were significantly higher (p<O.05) than others with treatment 2 being the least (66.47%). There was no significant difference (p>O.05) in the breast cut, drum stick, wing and back cut of the birds served the treatments. There was no significant difference (p>O.05) in the cost of feed. There were significant differences (p<O.OS) in the cost of production with treatment 2 (N 1283.30) having the highest cost followed by treatment 4 and 5 (N1060.00 and N1083.30 respectively). There were no significant difference (p>O.OS) in the revenue values of birds served treatments 1, 2, 3, and 4. However, the gross margin of bird served treatment (N891.77) was significantly higher (p<O.05) than others followed by treatment 3 (N522.48). There was significant difference (p<O.05) in volume of water consumed with treatment 4 having the highest (1 1.67litlbird), followed by treatment 5 (9. 83litlbird).