GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF BROILER STARTER CHICKS FED VARYING LEVELS OF ORANGE PEEL EXTRACT AS MINERAL SUPPLEMENT

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of the administration of orange peel extracts on growth and economic benefits of starter broiler birds in drinking water as mineral supplement. A total of one hundred and thirty five (135) broiler starter birds were randomly allotted into five treatments groups namely: T0 (OPP 0g), T1 (OPP 5g), T2 (OPP 10g), T3 (OPP 15g) and T4 (OPP 20g). Each treatment was replicated thrice with nine (9) birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Growth parameters measured were body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality. The cost per kilogram, cost of feed consumed, cost of feed per Kg weight gain and total revenue were evaluated. Results showed that final body weight, body weight gain and daily feed intake were significantly (P<0.05) higher in birds on OPP 10g followed by birds fed OPP 15g then than those of on OPP 20g which were not significantly different from the control. The feed conversion ratio was improved in birds fed OPP 15g. In conclusion, administering of OPP in drinking water improved performance of broiler starter at 15, 10, and 5g than birds fed without peel extracts.
Economy of production indicated that cost of feed consumed and cost per kilogram weight gain reduced for broiler starter birds fed OPP compared to those fed control diet.