ABSTRACT

Seventy two — old turkey poults were used to evaluate the replacement value of fluted pumpkin seed meal (PSM) for soybeans (SBM) in turkey grower feed. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD). There were four treatments each replicated three times with six (6) turkeys per replicate. The inclusion level of fluted pumpkin seed meal in the grower diet was 20%, 30% and 40% representing diet 2, 3and 4 respectively. The treatment without PSM at(o% replacement) is designated as control.The parameters measured were final live weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass yield (cut-parts) internal organ proportion, and economics of production. The experimental diet was fed for 5weeks (56 days) duration. Performance parameters of the birds were recorded .At the end of the experiment, the birds were slaughtered, and carcass characteristics were analyzed. The results showed that the final weight gain of bird fed diet 1 (1 126.28a g/bird) was significantly (p OS) between the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of diet 1, 2, 3 and 4 but diet 1 had least of numerical value of 5.65c' diet 2 and 3 had the highest FCR value of (7.85a and 7.38ab).There were significant different in mortality of birds fed all the treatment diet. The cost of diet decreases with increase in the level of replacement. There was slightly significant different in cost of production for all the diet. Similarly there were significant different in the cost per weight gain of all the diet. Though that of diet 2 (61 97a g/bird) was numerical higher than others. The revenue of birds fed diet 1 and 4 (N9s734a and N5397Sb /bird) were respectively higher than others. While that of diet 2 and 3 (N4824bc and N452.32 /bird) were respectively the least. The percentage dressed weight of birds fed diet 1(702.33%) was higher than others while that of diet 2 (213.83%) had least value. Significant different exists in the value of breast, wings, and back cut-parts of birds fed treatment diets. There was also significant different in the value of thigh for diet 1, 2, 3 and 4. Whereas the drumstick for diet 2 and 4 were respectively lower than diet 3. There was little treatment effect on the internal organ proportion of turkeys in this study Arising from the findings and interpretations of the work done the following conclusion and recommendation ix were maclee At 40% replacement of PSM with SBM the turkeys did belier in almost all response parameters. Fluted pumpkin seed meal can therefore replace soybean meal at 40 percent in the diet of turkey poult. Since turkey poult that fed the test diet 2 to 4 (20 to 40 percent) performed as good as those on control diet 1 (0% replacement) breast, wings, back-cut and thigh, and better in terms of drumstick. Then PSM can replace soybean up to 40 percent and cut-part achieved. PSM supplementation made turkeys poults that fed diet 2 to 4 to develop better internal organ proportions. Since there is increase in awareness on the nutritive quality of some internal organs like liver and heart. some consumers especially the invalids go for such organs. If one of the objectives of turkey producers on large internal organs then replacement o1PSM with SBM up to 40 percent supplementation is recommended.