Effect of processing of sweet potato peel on its composition, nutrient inhibitor components and growth metrics by broiler finisher chickens

Abstract

The study examined the effect of processing of sweet potato peel meal (SSPPM) on its composition, nutrient inhibitor components and growth metrics by broiler finisher chickens. SSPPM was soaked in separate containers for 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours with the drain and replacement of fresh water every 6 hours. Proximate composition and lowering of anti-nutrients were best at 24 hours of soaking duration. Thus, SSPPM at 24-hours of soaking was used in a feeding trial with broiler finisher chickens. One hundred and fifty 6-week old finisher broiler chickens of Arbor Acres strain were allocated to five groups, each had three replicates having ten chickens per replicate, in a completely randomized design. The trial lasted for a period of three weeks. Broilers allotted to the control group did not have SSPPM in their diet while it was included at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% in diets of chickens in T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Results showed that final weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed to gain ratio were significantly (P<0.05) poor at 10.0% level of dietary SSPPM. Final weight decreased by 11.42% at 10.0% inclusion of SSPPM. Enzyme supplementation in the diets did not seem to improve feed utilization at higher inclusion of SSPPM (10.0%). The study concluded that SSPPM could be processed by soaking for 24 hours and included in broiler diets up to 7.5% with 0.1% enzyme supplementation without negative effect on productive parameters.