Evaluation of performance, carcass characteristics, serum biochemistry and hematological parameters of broilers fed graded levels of raw cocoa bean shell based diet

Abstract

Competition exists between man and his livestock for conventional feed ingredients like maize. This has necessitated the search for alternative ingredients. Large quantities of cocoa bean shell are produced and wasted annually by farmers and associated processing industries in Nigeria. A total of one hundred and fifty day-old Anak broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments with 30 birds per treatment, replicated thrice, in a completely randomised design. The treatments were: A (0% CBS-control diet); B (5% RCBS); C (10% RCBS); D (15% RCBS) and E (20% RCBS). Birds were fed ad libitum throughout the experimental period of eight weeks. The feed intake and weight gained were monitored. Carcass analysis, serum and hematological parameters such as total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, glucose, creatinine, red blood cell, white blood cells, hemoglobin and packed cell volume were determined. Significant differences were observed in the feed intake, the birds fed with the control diet A had the highest feed intake 4556.50gm compared with birds fed diet D and E with mean values of 4177.50gm and 4097.00gm respectively. The highest weight gain was obtained from birds on control diet (1952.00gm) and the lowest from birds with 20% RCBS (1550.00gm, diet E). As the level of inclusion of RCBS increased the feed conversion ratio value increased. The dressed out percentage ranged from 73.67% - 67.00%. Apparent variations in the values obtained for total protein, creatinine, red blood cells, hemoglobin and packed cell volume of the birds fed graded levels of RCBS were not significant. However, white blood cells and globulin values increased with increase in the level of CBS in the diet. RCBS could effectively replace up to 10% maize in the diets of broilers without a deleterious effect on broiler chicken.