Effect of replacement of soybean residues for groundnut cake on carcass yield of broiler chickens

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted with two hundred (200) Arbor Acre strain of broiler chicks to determine the effect of soybean residue (SBR) on carcass characteristics and visceral organs. Birds were fed for 28 days (starter phase) with formulated diet containing 22% crude protein and 3000Kcal/kg (ME). Five iso-nitrogenous experimental diets were formulated which contain SBR. In the control diet (T1) groundnut cake was served as the only protein source. Four (4) test diets designated as: T2, T3, T4 and T5 were formulated with SBR replacing 25, 50, 75 and 100% of groundnut cake respectively in finisher phase. The birds were randomly grouped into five (5) experimental treatment groups in four (4) replicates of 40 birds per treatment in a completely randomized design. The finisher phase lasted for five (5) weeks and the birds were fed and given drinking water adlibitum. All carcass characteristics evaluated differ significantly (P<0.05) among treatment groups except breast and wings. No significant (P>0.05) difference were shown for organs, while shanks was only the residue that was significantly affected by dietary treatment. Soybean residue can be used up to 100% to replace groundnut cake in the diet of broiler chickens thus providing a productive use for this hither to neglected agro allied waste.