CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER FINISHERS FED GINGER WASTE MEAL AS AN ENERGY SOURCE

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the carcass traits of broiler finisher chicks fed varying levels of ginger waste meal (GWM) as a replacement for maize in a four-week feeding trial. The GWM was incorporated in the diets at 7.5%, 15.0%, 22.5%, and 30.0% as a replacement for the maize used in the control diet. A total of three hundred and seventy five (375) four-week-old Abor-Acre chicks were assigned to five treatment groups using a completely randomized design. Each treatment group contained 75 chicks and was replicated three times with twenty five chicks per replicate. At the end of the four week feeding trial, carcass analysis was carried out, parameters such as slaughtered weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and organs weight were measured The results showed that dietary levels of inclusion of GWM had significant (P<0.05) effect on these parameters. The dressing percentage, carcass, thigh, breast, wing and back weights were higher for the birds fed 0, 7.5%,15.0%, and 22.5%, GWM based diets. It was concluded that inclusion of GWM in the diets of broiler finisher chicks has beneficial effects and 22.5% level of inclusion is recommended.