RESPONSE OF COCKEREL CHICKENS TO OYSTER MUSHROOM (PLEUROTUS OSTREATUS) ADMINISTERED IN FEED

O. M. SOGUNLE; O. E. DAINI; S. O. LABINJO; O. J. ODUTAYO; K. K. SAFIYU

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.7879

Authors

O. M. SOGUNLE Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
O. E. DAINI Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
S. O. LABINJO Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
O. J. ODUTAYO Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
K. K. SAFIYU Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7879

Keywords:

Cockerel chicken, growth performance, oyster mushroom, blood parameter

Abstract

This study investigated the response of 120 cockerel chickens to varying dietary inclusion levels of oyster mushroom. The birds were randomly assigned to four treatments (0, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm) of varying levels of oyster mushroom in feed with each treatment consisting of 30 birds which was sub- divided into three replicates of 10 birds each for an experimental period of 8 weeks. Data obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Designed. Results showed that oyster mushroom inclusion in cockerel chickens' diet significantly (P<0.05) influence feed intake of the birds. Comparable feed intake means (71.05, 71.11 and 69.64 g) were recorded at 500, 750 and 1000 ppm inclusion levels, respectively which were significantly (P<0.05) higher than 56.29 g recorded at 0 ppm. Also, all haematological and serum biochemistry parameters measured were significantly affected (P<0.05) by dietary inclusion of oyster mushroom. It was concluded that oyster mushroom inclusion up to 1000 ppm could be a substitute for antibiotics in cockerel chickens' production for optimum immune response without adversely affecting the growth performance of the birds.