EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ANIMAL PROTEIN SOURCES ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

experiment was carried out to determine the effect of different protein sources (maggot, termite, grasshopper and lizard meal) on performance of broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) day old broiler chicks of Marshall Breed were used for the experiment. An eight week study was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chicken fed four different sources of animal protein. Diet I contained 5% fish meal while Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 5% maggots meal, termites meal, grasshopper meal and lizard meal respectively at the starter phase. The finisher phase contained 2.5kg each of the protein sources respectively. The chicks were allotted to five dietary treatments each replicated thrice with ten birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data collected were subjected to one-way analysis of variance and significant means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The feed intake value observed in birds fed Diet 1 was significantly (P<0.05) higher than others statistically. Birds fed Diet 2 showed significant (P< 0.05) showed higher weight gain than others. Birds fed Diet 2 (maggot meal) performed better than others in absolute weight gain (2287g) which is very close to those fed fish meal (Diet 1). In conclusion, maggot meal in this study enhanced performance and is thus recommended as a replacement for fish meal.