Effect of feeding varying levels of corn cob meal on the performance, organ weights and serum metabolites of broiler finisher birds

Abstract

One hundred and twenty (120) Anak broiler birds were used to study the effect offeeding Corn cob meal on the growth performance, organ weights and serum metabolites. The birds were divided into 4 treatment groups. Four finisher diets were formulated with 0, 5, 10 and 15% Corn cob meal inclusion and fed to the birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). The results showed significant differences (p<0.05) in final body weight and average daily weight gain of the broilers. However, the feed intake and feed conversion ratio were similar (p>0.05) between
treatments. The organ weights (liver, heart and gizzard) did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between treatment groups. Serum metabolites were similar (p>0.050) between treatments, except for sodium and cholesterol, which differed significantly (p>0.0.50). The results of this study suggest that corn cob meal diets were not detrimental to the growth performance, organ weights and serum metabolites of broiler finisher birds.

Keywords: Growth performance, organ, weight, serum metabolites, broilers