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Carcass and internal organ characteristics of brioler chickens fed soybean diets partialy replaced with variable levels of raw jackfruit seed meal


C.N. Odukwe
D.N. Onunkwo
A.S. Eburuaja
V.N. Mathias

Abstract

One hundred and forty-four (144) broiler chickens were used to evaluate the  carcass and internal organ characteristics of broiler chickens fed soybean diet partially replaced with variable levels of raw jackfruit seed meal (RJFSM). The study lasted for 7 weeks. The inclusion levels of RJFSM were 10, 20 and 30%  respectively. The birds were divided into four dietary treatments and three replicates of twelve birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Treatment one (T1) was the soybean based which served as the control, while RJFSM was added to Treatment two (T2), Treatment three (T3) and Treatment four (T4) at 10, 20, 30% respectively. Feed and water were provided to the broiler chickens ad libitum while other routine management practices were maintained. Parameter recorded were initial weight, final weight, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR), then carcass and internal organ characteristics. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the weight of liver, heart, spleen and gizzard. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in crude protein (CP) and ash of the proximate analysis of the experimental diet. The final weight and daily feed intake (DFI) of the birds fed the experimental diets differed significantly (P<0.05).  Significant, differences (P<0.05) were observed in live weight, de-feathered weight, dressed percent, thigh, drumstick, back and breast. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in small intestine and large intestine lengths. The similarities  between the control diet and the RJFSM containing diets in the relative weights of the internal organs shows that the inclusion of the (RJFSM) up to 30% did not reveal any adverse effect in the broiler chickens.

Keywords: Jack Fruit Seed, Broiler chickens, Carcass characteristics and Internal Organ


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print ISSN: 0300-368X