Effect of replacing maize with raw Chrysophyllum albidum seed kernels on performance of broiler chicken

Abstract

Maize most often, constitutes the highest proportion of ingredients in diet formulation of any poultry ration and this high inclusion rate translates to high cost of feed because of seasonality in its production and competition for it by man. Thus, an experiment was conducted using 210 unsexed one week old Marshall broiler chicks with an average initial weight of 99.38g to determine the effect of replacing maize with graded levels of raw Chrysophyllum albidum kernel meal (RCKM) on the performance of broiler chickens. The chicks were assigned into seven dietary treatments of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30% graded levels of RCKMfor replacingmaize in the diets of the birds. The dietary treatments contained three replicates with 10 chicks per replicate. The proximate composition and phytochemical contents (saponins, phytate, tannins, oxalate, flavonoids, terpenoids and total phenolics) of the RCKMwere determined using the procedures of the AOAC (1990) and Sofowora (1993), respectively. The birds were given feed and water ad-lib and weighed weekly. Routine vaccinations and medications were carried out as at when due. In the course of the experiment, data were collected on the initial weight, feed intake, daily weight gain feed conversion ratio (FCR), mortality rate, final live weights and analysed in a completely randomized design. The proximate composition of the RCKM is shown to contain valuable nutrients (high energy, low protein and appreciable mineral contents). The phytochemical content of the C. albidum revealed that, it contains very high amount of phytate, tannins, flavonoids and total phenolics. Results obtained on the performance characteristics revealed that, there was a very highly significant (p<0.001) decrease in the final live weights, average daily weight gains, feed intake values as the dietary inclusion of the RCKM increased in the diets of the birds. The values obtained for the final live weights were 1,910.16g, 1,255g, 885.00g, 479.24g, 474.11g, 395.00g and 388.83g for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The average daily weight gains were 32.34g, 20.66g, 14.04g, 6.78g, 6.69g, 5.29g and 5.15g, the feed intake valueswere 116.87g, 99.37g, 91.32g, 71.40g, 69.90g, 68.36g, 65.23g, respectively for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. This was accompanied by poor feed conversion ratios and high cost per kg weight gains. In conclusion, though Chrysophyllum albidum kernel meal has potentials for animal feeding due to its high energy levels but there is the need to adequately detoxify the antinutritional factors in the kernels before inclusion in the broilers diet.