Performance evaluation of broiler chickens fed enzyme-supplemented diets containing differently processed baobab seed meal

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance of broiler chickens fed with differently processed baobab seed meal (BSM) in addition to enzyme supplementation. One-hundred-and-fifty-day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with three replicates of ten birds each. The treatments comprised a control diet (without BSM) and four test diets containing soaked, fermented, roasted and boiled meals, each supplemented with a commercial enzyme (Enerzyme™) at the manufacturer’s recommended inclusion level. Data were collected on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality, and feed cost per kilogram weight gain during the starter (1–5 weeks) and finisher (6–8 weeks) phases. Results obtained reveal that processing methods significantly (P<0.05) affected all growth performance parameters in both phases. Birds fed boiled BSM diets consistently recorded the highest final body weight (920.80 g at starter and 2962.50 g at finisher) and the best FCR values (1.97 and 1.60, respectively). Conversely, birds on fermented and roasted BSM diets showed significantly lower weight gains and poorer feed efficiency. Feed intake was highest in birds fed with boiled and control diets, indicating enhanced palatability and nutrient utilization. The boiled BSM diet also offered the most favorable feed cost per kilogram gain and minimal mortality, confirming its economic advantage. In conclusion, boiling proved to be the most effective processing method for detoxifying baobab seed meal and enhancing its nutritional value when used in broiler diets with enzyme supplementation. Owing to the results obtained in this study, the combination of boiled BSM and Enerzyme™ can therefore serve as a viable alternative protein source for sustainable poultry production.