The Effects of Pelleted and Unpelleted All Mash Broiler Diets on Performance, Carcass Quality and Internal Organ Developments of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The performance, carcass traits and internal organ development of broiler chickens as influenced by dietary form (pellet or mash) were assessed using 180 straight run Ana 2000, (14 to 63 days of age). Soyabean meal (SBM) mash diet was used as a reference diet. Full fat soybean (FFSB) was the other mash diet. The pelleted diet was a commercial source. Results showed lack of significant (P>0.05) influence of diet form on performance traits in the starter phase SBM mash diet produced the least feed cost per kg gain. In the finisher phase, feed intake and weight gain were not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by diet form but feed to gain ratio was improved significantly (P<0.05) for the SBM mash diet. Feed cost per kg gain was least on the pelleted diet. The cumulative effect of diets showed lack of significant (P>0.05) effect on feed intake. Weight gain was least (P< 0.05) for broilers fed FFSB diet. Broilers fed pelleted and SBM gained similar weights. Feed cost per kg gain was least on SBM mash diet. Relative values for New York dressed, dressed weights, and breast of birds fed FFSB mash were significantly (P<0.01) lower than SBM mash and pelleted diets. Sex had no influence on relative values except abdominal fat where females had significantly (P<0.05) more fat than males.