ABSTRACT

' In a 5 week feeding trial, cottonseed meal was substituted for soybean meal nut 0,25,50,75 and l00% and the diets were respectively designated as diets 1,2,3,4 and 5 in a completely randomized design. Feed intake. feed-to-gain ratio, body weight gain and the economics of production were investigated. Bird. were fed and watered ad-libitum. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the total feed intake and feed-to-gain ratios among the treatments. The birds' total body weight gain did not differ significantly (P>0.05) but numerically diet 3 gave the highest weight gain (2666.60g) while diet I was the least (2443.27g). The live weight of the birds fed diet 3 differed significantly (P 0.05) from the other diets. Diet 3 was the highest (3066.66g) while diet I was the least (2746.66g). The dressed weight percentage of birds fed diet 2 (81.64) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than for the birds fed the other diets. The cul parts showed 110 significant differences (P>0.05) among the birds fed the treatment diels. The nutrient utilization analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05). Die 5 had the highest mean values (8 J .45), (60.81), (95.57). (66.79) and (85.72) for nitrogen crude fire, ether extract. ash and dry matter retentions respectively while diet 2 was the least (69.99) (30.20). (91.47}. (44.88) and (76.77) for Ilic 5 pma11H:tc1s respectively. Mineral utilization followed the same trend: diet 5 was the highest (69.08), (84.72), (71.91) for phosphorus, potassium. calcium and magnesium respectively while diet I was the lowest (49.09). ( 72.41 ). (55.00) :111d (<•2 h I) 1,,1 tlic same parameters respectively. Diet 5 was found to be the cheapest (N290.01) and savings were significantly (P<0.05) improved with the use ol this diet while die and 3 had the least values of N285.94) and (N302.07) respectively for iutpiunl revenue. From the foregoing, cottonseed meal had no adverse clfeet on fl performance mid economics of production of the birds. This is an imlirn111111 1h111 cottu11sce<l meal can satisfactorily replace soyabean meal in hroikr dicls.