Response of broilers to varying levels of roasted baobab (<i>Adansonia digitata </i>L.) seed meal

Abstract

This Study was carried out to evaluate inclusion of Roasted Baobab Seed Meal (RBSM) on the performance of broiler chickens. One hundred and eighty day old Oba Marshall broiler chicks were divided into 4 groups, each group consisting of 45 birds divided into 3 replicates of 15 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). The RBSM was included at 0 (control) 4, 8 and 12 % designated as treatments A, B, C and D, respectively. The experiment was carried out for eight weeks. Feed and water were provided adlibitum. Weight gain, feed intake, feed to gain ratio and mortality were recorded weekly. Hematological studies and carcass evaluation were carried out at the end of the experiment. Results showed significant difference among treatments on the performance of the birds on all the performance parameters. Significant differences were also observed in some of the carcass traits. Higher body and carcass weight, dressing percent and intestinal length increased as the level of RBSM increased (P<0.05). However, no significant (P>0.05) difference was observed in Gizzard, Abdominal fat, Heat, Lungs, Spleen, intestine full and empty. It was concluded that RBSM inclusion has beneficial effects on the performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens.