Effects of raw bambara nut (<i>Voandzeia subterranea</i> l) waste and enzyme complex on growth performance and apparent nutrient retention in broiler chickens

Abstract

The effects of graded levels of raw bambara nut (Voandzeia subterranea L) waste and supplementary enzyme (Roxayzme G) on performance of broiler chicks were investigated. One hundred and twenty 14-day old unsexed commercial broiler chicks (Anak strain) were randomly divided into eight groups of 15 birds each. The groups were randomly assigned to eight energetic (9.24 to 11.68 MJ of ME/kg) and nitrogenous (21.12 to 22.12% crude protein) diets in a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement involving four levels (0, 10, 15 and 20%) of raw bambara nut waste and 2 enzyme levels (0 and 0.02%). Each treatment was replicated three times with five birds per replicate. Results show that increasing levels of raw bambara nut waste in the diets increased (P < 0.05) average daily feed intake and feed cost per kg weight gain, but decreased (P < 0.05) final body weight, average daily weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and protein efficiency ratio. Increasing raw bambara nut waste levels also depressed (P < 0.05) nutrient absorption as evidenced by significant reduction in the retention of dry matter, nitrogen, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen-free extract and gross energy. However, supplementation with enzyme improved (P < 0.05) final body weight and average daily weight gain at 0% raw bambara nut waste level, feed conversion ratio at the 10, 15 and 20% raw bambara nut waste levels, and reduced average daily feed intake and feed cost per kg weight gain at all the raw bambara nut waste (RBW) inclusion levels. Enzyme supplementation also improved (P < 0.05) the retention of dry matter at the 0, 15 and 20% raw bambara nut waste levels, nitrogen at 0% raw bambara nut waste level, ether extract and nitrogen-free extract at 0 and 20% raw bambara nut waste levels, and gross energy at 10 and 20% raw bambara nut waste levels. There was no incidence of chicks’ mortality in all the treatments. The results of the study indicate that 10% raw bambara nut waste can be included in enzyme supplemented broiler starter diet without adverse effects on broiler chicks and also to reduce cost of production.

Keywords: Raw bambara nut waste, enzyme, diets, broiler chicks, growth performance