EFFECT OF MAIZE REPLACED WITH COCONUT CAKE MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF NOILER STRAIN OF CHICKEN

Abstract

A research was conducted to evaluate the effect of replacing maize with varying levels of coconut cake meal (CCM) in the diet on the performance, carcass characteristics and economics of production of noiler strain of chicken. Five treatment diets were formulated in which CCM replaced maize at 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels using a completely randomized design in two replications with ten birds per replicate. The study lasted for 8 weeks during which growth performance, carcass characteristics and economics of production were assessed after the experiment. The results showed that feed intake were significantly higher (P<0.05) in noiler fed 30- 40% levels of maize replaced with CCM when compared with the control. Also, tested diets have no significant effect on the final weight, total and daily weight gain of birds fed the 40% level of maize replacement with CCM when compared with the control. Price/Kg feed reduced with increased level of CCM in the diet. Also, Price/Kg bird produced reduced for birds at 40% level of maize replacement but not statistically (P>0.05) different. Tested diets exert no significant difference (P>0.05) on the percentage weight of primal parts and vital organs of the noiler birds. It could therefore be suggested that maize could be replaced with CCM up to 40% level in noiler diet as this will reduce the Price/Kg of feed and the competition for maize between man and livestock industry.