Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Pullet Chicks Fed Diets Containing Prosopis Africana Seed Coat Meal Treated with Polyzyme

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of prosopis africana seed coat meal (PASCM) on the performance and nutrient utilization of three hundred (300) Nera brown day-old pullet chicks that were fed for 56 days. The birds were randomly allotted to 5 experimental diets with 3 replications of 20 birds each. The diets were formulated with the inclusion of PASCM at 0, 15, 20, 25 and 30% levels, respectively and the data collected were subjected to analysis of Variance in a completely randomized design. Results obtained showed that the 0%(control diet) had the highest feed intake of 31.94g/bird/day. While the best FCR (3.09) and highest final weight gain (608.33g/bird) were obtained in 0% PASCM inclusion level. Also birds on 0% PASCM inclusion level had the highest value of weight gain (10.33g/bird) and best protein efficiency ratio (0.64). Mortality was not observed. The digestible CP and EE were highest (P<0.05) in 0% PASCM inclusion but did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) from 15% and 20% inclusion levels. It was therefore concluded that 20% PASCM inclusion level could be adopted for optimum growth performance and digestibility in pullet chicks’ diets.