Performance and carcass characteristics of broilers fed boiled cowpea (<i>Vigna unguiculata L Walp</i>) and or black common bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>) meal diets

Abstract

A total of 256 broiler chicks were used to evaluate the effect of replacing meat meal with boiled cowpea and/or black common bean on the performance and carcass characteristics of broilers. At the starter
phase, boiled cowpea and or black common bean meal constituted 11% of S1, S2 and a 1:1 ratio of boiled cowpea and black common (S3) diets replacing 100% of meat meal and 25% of fish meal. For the
finisher phase, 14% boiled cowpea (F1), 14% boiled black common bean (F2) and an equal proportion (1:1) of boiled cowpea and black common bean meals (F3) were used to replace 100% meat meal and
25% fish meal. During the starter period, feed intake and weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) higher for broilers fed the control diet compared to those in the treatment diets. No significant (P > 0.05)
difference was observed between treatment groups for feed conversion ratio and feed cost for the production of 1 kg live body weight. At finisher, broilers started with the control starter diet and finished
with any of the test diets significantly (P < 0.05) consumed more feed and acquired heavier weights compared to the other dietary combinations. Feed cost was significantly (P < 0.05) lower for birds
started the control starter diet and finished with either the control finisher diet or boiled cowpea diets. Carcass yield was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for birds finished with boiled cowpea diet compared to
the other treatments. Cowpea and black common bean boiled for 30 min under uncontrolled temperature and pressure could not be recommended for broiler's diet formulation.