Performance of broiler chicken fed diets containing mango (<i>Mangifera indica</i>) fruit reject pulp mixed with maize offal

Abstract

A number of alternative feedstuff that are affordable and profitable for use in developing countries for animal feeding have been identified and  reported. However, some of these alternative feedstuff have low nutrient density, and some with high nutrient density are difficult to process and or preserve. However, it is reported that two different alternative feedstuff could be mixed to improve the nutrient density of the mixture, and be  preserved better at the same time. Mango fruit reject pulp has high energy content but cannot be easily sundried and preserved alone, except a carrier is involved. Four (4) experiments were conducted to determine the proximate composition and energy content of mango fruit reject pulp-maize offal mix meal (MFRP-MO); effects of MFRP-MO on growth performance and economics of productions for starter and finisher broiler  chickens, carcass characteristics, internal organs and gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) morphometry of finisher broiler chickens. Mango fruit rejects pulp-maize offal mix meal (MFRP-MO) partially replaced maize at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80% respectively to produce diets coded T1 (0%), T2 (20%), T3 (40%), T4 (60%), T5 (80%), and T1(0%). One hundred and eighty (180) day-old Marshall broiler chicks were grouped into five, with each group replicated three times and a replicate contained 12 birds in completely randomized design (CRD); which were exposed to the diets in a feeding trial that lasted for 28 and 49 days for starter and finisher phases respectively. MFRP-MO contained 9.63% CP, 68.38% NFE and 3320. 41kcal/kg ME. Results of mean growth performance parameters for starter and finisher phases declined from 40% and 20% MFRPMO respectively on parameters including final weight,  daily weight gain and FCR. Economic indices were better at 80% MFRP-MO mix replacement of maize; the cost per kg weight gain steadily declined. Percentage feed costs were 32.36 to 39.92% and 53.50 to 62.75% for starter and finisher respectively. The dress percent, major carcass cuts and internal organs were not significantly different. With the exception of large intestine length, which was not significantly different (p<0.05), caeca and  small intestine varied in opposite directions: small intestine decreased, while caeca increased as MFRP-MO mix increased. It was concluded that 20% replacement of maize by MFRP-MO mix was optimal for both starter and finishing broiler chickens' growth but 60% was more economical and 60% MFRP-MO mix was recommended.

Keywords: mango fruit, maize offal, growth, carcass, economics, internal organs