Effect Of Dietary Graded Levels Of Tigernuts (Cyperus esculentus L) On The Performance Of Turkeys

ABSTRACT

A fifty-six day experiment was conducted to determine the performance of turkey poults as influenced by graded levels of tigernuts on the growth performance, cut-parts, carcass nutrient composition and internal organ proportion of turkeys. The inclusion levels of tigernut in the diets were 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 percent respectively. Seventy-five turkey poults were used to conduct the experiment in a completed randomized design. Feed and water were given ad-libiturn. Data were collected on initial weight, final weight, final weight, average daily feed intake, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass cut-parts, internal organ proportions, carcass nutrient composition. In growth parameter, the final weight of birds fed diet 3 (830.00) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than others (760 - 800.00). similarly, the daily weight gain values of turkey fed diet 3(13.87)was significantly higher (p<0.05) but were significantly higher (p<0.05) than others. Similarly, the nitrogen free extract of birds fed diet 1 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than diets 2 and 4 (3.75 and3.81) whereas the liver of turkey fed diet 3(4.46) was significantly higher (p<0.05) but were significantly higher (p<0.05) than others. Similarly, the nitrogen free extract of birds fed diet 1 was significantly higher (p<0.05) than diets 2 and 4 (3.75 and3.81) whereas the liver of turkey fed diet 3(4.46) was significantly higher (p<0.05) from diet 5 (2.79).The heart of turkeys fed diet 3 was significantly different from others Turkeys fed diets 3 containing (20%) tigernut performed better than others and therefore can be included in the diet of turkeys for improved performance.