PROXIMATE AND AMINO ACID COMPOSITIONS OF SELECTED COMMERCIAL BROILER STARTER FEEDS IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Seven different commercial broiler starter feeds were sourced from the market in Ibadan, Oyo state. The feeds were labelled A, B, C, D, E, F and G which constituted treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Proximate and amino acids compositions were determined following standard procedures. Proximate values varied significantly (p<0.05). The proximate values were also at variance with the standard nutrient recommendations for the broiler starter chickens and the values on each feed sample labels. Methionine in treatments 3 (2.18%) and 6 (2.11%) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than 0.50 % recommended value of NRC 1994 while other values were below , except for 1 (0.66%) . Different nutritional values obtained from the different feed brands implied that the commercial feed brands do not conform to any standard for the broiler feeds in Nigeria as well as the nutrient requirements of broiler starter chickens. This may adversely affect poultry producers as most producers rely on proprietary feeds. Therefore, adequate cautions must be exercised in choice of feed for broilers by poultry farmers.