EFFECTS OF FERMENTED CASTOR SEED MEAL ON CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER FINISHER CHICKENS

Abstract

The effects of fermented castor seed meal (FCSM) on carcass characteristics of broiler finisher chickens was evaluated in 29 days. A total of 300 broiler chicks (ROSS 308) strain were randomly allotted to five experimental diets using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated 4 times with 15 chicks each. Five experimental diets were formulated to be isocaloric (3000kcal/kg ME) and isonitrogenous (21% crude protein) for broiler finisher chickens with FCSM levels of (0, 25, 50 75 and 100%). Birds were reared in a deep litter system for 4 weeks and fed with known quantity of feed while water was given ad-libitum. Light and other standard routine management practices were strictly observed. The result showed significant (P<0.05) increase in the live weight (1473.75g/bird), slaughtered weight (1466.75 g/bird) for birds fed control and 25%FCSM compared to other treatments diets. However, dressed weight (1089.05 g/bird), dressing % (73.37 and 77.83 g/bird), breast (26.19 g/bird), back (10.68 g/bird), thigh (12.35 g/bird), drumstick (12.33 g/bird) and wings (9.98 g/bird) were significantly (P<0.05) improved at 25%FCSM compared to the control and other treatments. Based on the result obtained, castor seed meal can replace soybean cake at 25% for better growth and carcass yield.