Evaluation of the growth performance, carcass characteristics and blood indices of broiler finishers fed graded levels of fermented <i>Mucuna sloanei</i> seed meal

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal (FMSM) on growth, carcass characteristics and blood indices of finisher broilers. Fermented Mucuna Sloanei seeds were processed into meal and analyzed for proximate and phytochemical compositions. The meal was then used to make four broiler finisher diets at 0, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0% inclusion levels, respectively. Each diet was fed to a group of 30 finisher broilers at 5 weeks old for 28 days using completely randomized design. Each group was further subdivided into three replicates of 10 birds each. Average daily feed intake and average daily weight gain decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as the dietary levels of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal increased. Feed conversion ratio increased significantly as the dietary levels of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal increased. Cost of production was significantly increased (p < 0.05) as Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal increased. The dressed weight and breast weight were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) with dietary inclusion of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal. The heart, the liver and gizzard were significantly increased (p < 0.05) as the inclusion of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal increased. The haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin concentration, Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, white blood cell and the differentials (lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils) were not affected by treatments (p > 0.05). The urea concentration and the liver enzymes (alanine amino transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase) were not affected by dietary treatment. Blood indices affected were red blood cell, total proteins and creatinine which decreased significantly (p < 0.05) as the dietary inclusion of Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal increased. Therefore, replacement of soya bean with Fermented Mucuna Sloanei Meal should not exceed 5% dietary level.

Key words: blood indices, carcass, fermented mucuna, growth