ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF STARTER BROILER CHICKENS FED GRADED LEVELS OF MULTIGRAIN ENZYME-SUPPLEMENTED RICE HUSK AS A REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of multigrain-supplemented rice husk as a replacement for maize in the diet of starter broiler chickens. A total of 150 day-old broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design comprising of five treatments (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5) where rice husk supplemented with multigrain enzyme replaced 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of maize respectively. There were three replicates per treatment with ten birds per replicate. Feed intake, weight gained, feed conversion ratio, feed cost, feed cost per kilogram weight gained, revenue and profit were determined. All data collected were subjected to ANOVA using Statistical Package for Social Science. Treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results show a decrease in the cost of feed as rice husk inclusion level increases. Treatments T3, T4, and T5 were not significantly different (P˃0.05) in their effects on feed intake and feed cost per bird while treatments T1 and T2 were significantly higher. The FCR for treatment T2 was significantly lowest among the treatments. There were no significant differences (P˃0.05) among the treatments in their effects on feed cost per kilogram weight gained, revenue and profit. It was concluded that treatment T2 (25% replacement of maize) with significantly lowest FCR was better than other treatments. Therefore, it was recommended that multigrain- supplemented rice husk can replace 25% of maize in the diets of starter broilers.