Main Article Content

EFFECT OF REPLACING COCOA HUSK FOR WHEAT BRAN ON INTERNAL ORGANS, CARCASS YIELD, SERUM METABOLITE AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF GROWING COCKERELS


S. S. ABIOLA
O. O. TEWE

Abstract

Carcass yield, serum metabolites and economy of production of cockerels were studied for 12 weeks to determine the effect of replacing wheat bran with cocoa husk at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels. Results of eviscerated yield were statistically different (P<0.05). Highest eviscerated yield of 70.52% was obtained from 25% wheat bran replacement by cocoa husk that gave the best result of flesh/bone ratio of 2.73. The weight of the liver, gizzard and size of gastro-intestinal tract increased with increase in the level of cocoa husk in the diet.


Total protein and serum urea concentrations were higher than the reference values. Creatinine concentrations were lower on all the cocoa husk diets compared with the control. Wheat bran can be replaced by 25% cocoa husk in the finisher diet of cockerels to produce good quality carcass at reduced cost without adverse effects on serum metabolites.



[Niger Agric. J. 34 (2003): 110-115]

Journal Identifiers


eISSN:
print ISSN: 0300-368X