The feeding value of full-fat cashew nut (Anacardium occidentale Linn) rejects and low cereal diets for broiler chicken

Abstract

A study was conducted to examine the economic benefits of using full-fat cashew nut (FFCN) rejects and low cereal for diets on 195 Anak 2000 strains of broilers. The five diets used contained 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% FFCN for diets 1 to 5 respectively, as a replacement for full-fat soyabean (FFSB). Cost of feed wieght grain reduced from N38.41 in diet 1 to N24.43 in diet 5 and the total cost of feed consumed per bird reduced from N116.17 in diets 1 to N86.24 in diets 5. Weight gain also decreased while feed/gain increased with inclusion level of FFCN in the diets. Revenue/feed cost increased (P>0.05) with inclusion level of FFCN. The treatment also had significant (P>0.05) effect on the nutrient digestibility. The carcass characteristics showed a non significant (P>0.05) difference between treaments in all the parts except the shanks. The result showed a significant saving in the total cost of feed consumed/bird without any negative effect on the performance of the birds