PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED GRADED LEVELS OF KALGOPOD MEAL (PILIOSTIGMA THONNINGII)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of Kalgopod meal (KPM) on the carcass characteristics of broiler finisher. Completely randomized design was used with four treatment groups replicated four times for four weeks designated as: 0:control, 5, 7.5 and 10% KPM. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. The results indicated that there were significant differences across performance parameters considered, in fact treatment four with higher inclusion level of test ingredient was found to have been well utilized by the birds (p<0.05). Results of carcass analysis revealed that, significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in slaughter weight and dressing percentage while neck, wings, breast, back, thigh, drum stick and shank (p>0.05). Inclusion of KPM in poultry feeding had no adverse effect on carcass characteristics.