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Effects of Graded Levels of Pigeon Pea Meal on Growth Performance and Organ Characteristics of Finisher Broilers


EO Ahaotu
UDE Ogbuokiri
AU Korie
BU Ekenyem
CFI Onwuka
IC Okoli
PO Njoku
EC Ndubuisi
FN Madubuike

Abstract

Two hundred (200) five weeks old broiler birds of Anak breed from a commercial hatchery were used to investigate the effects of replacing soybean meal with pigeon pea meal in finisher broilers. The birds were fed on 0, 50, 75 and 100% dietary inclusions of toasted pigeon pea as replacement for soybean in a 28 day feeding trial.  Significant interaction between dietary levels of pigeon pea and soybean were observed on feed efficiency and weight gain (p<0.05). Increase in dietary levels of pigeon pea reduced feed transit time in gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) (p<0.05), while supplementary soybean had the opposite effect (p<0.05). There were significant differences (p<0.05) between birds in various internal organ characteristics, with birds on the control diet having significantly (p<0.05) lower values than birds on T2, T3 and T4 in all the parameters measured. It was concluded that broiler birds could tolerate up to 75% dietary levels of pigeon pea without detrimental effects on performance and nutrient retention.


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eISSN: 0794-4721