ABSTRACT

The performance of turkey poults as influenced by graded levels of tigernut (cyperus esculentus L) was evaluated in this study. The experiment lasted for 8 (eight) weeks, five treatment diets were formulated in which tigernut (test ingredient) was added at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 percent. A total of 75 local turkey poults were used in the study. They were randomly allotted to the 5 treatment diets, replicated in 3 each. The design of the study was a completely randomized design (CRD). In the final weight of birds fed the treatment dIet 3 (830.00) was significantly different (P<0.05) from other diets (760.00-800.00). In the daily weight gain turkeys fed diet 3 (13.87) was significantly different (P<0.05) from other (12.64-13.39). Economic of production of birds fed the diets, the cost of production, diet 5 (498.03) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than others (316.34-415.73). Total weight gain of turkeys fed diets3 (776.72) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than others (707.65-749.64) but diets 1,2,3 were significantly the same (P<0.05). Cost per weight gain of turkeys fed diet 1 (2.37) was significantly greater (P<0.05) than others (142-1.77) but diets 2 and 3 were statistically the same (2.02 and 2.10). The Revenue gotten from the turkeys fed the treatment diet 3(1556.32/bird) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than others (1425.00-1500/bird). However dietl,2,4 are not significantly different (p>0.05) diet 1. Though the gross margin of the birds on diet 1(1184.95/bird) is significantly higher (p<0.05)than others (926.96- 1172.23/bird) but birds on diets 2 and 3 (1129.98 and 1172.23)respectively are statistically the same(p>0.05) with diet 1. There was no significant difference(p>0.05)in the Total Protein, Albumin, Glucose, Cholesterol and Globuline of the birds fed the treatment diets respectively. The creatinine of birds fed diet 5 was significantly different (p>0.05) from diets 1-4. In the haematological parameter estimate, the PCV of birds fed diet 5 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than others. RBC of birds fed diet 1 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than others while WBC of birds fed diet2 was significantly different (p<0.05) from others. The MCV and MCH of birds fed diet 5 were significantly greater (p<0.05) than other diets respectively. While MCHC of birds fed diet 4 was significantly higher(p<0.05)than others. From the result it is shown that tigernut can serve as an ingredient in turkey diet at 20 percent without adverse effect.