EFFECT OF GRADED LEVEL OF SHEA NUT CAKE (Vitelleria paradoxa) INCLUSIONS ON PERFORMANCE OF BROILER FINISHER

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler birds fed diets contain Shea butter cake as protein supplement at the finisher phase. Shea butter cake (SBC) at 0% SBC, 5% SBC and 10% SBC, tagged T1 T2 and T3 respectively. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) Ross 308 birds, the experiment groups were replicated five (5) times in each treatment with 10 birds per replicate in a four weeks feeding trial. Feed intake and body weight gain of the birds were determined and compared. Result of feed intake and body weight gain were significantly different (P<0.05) for all treatments while feed conversion ratio showed no significant difference for all the treatments. It is concluded that feeding broiler birds with diets containing Shea butter cake enhance growth especially when the inclusion level is at 5%. It also recommended that the inclusion of Shea butter cake at level not exceeding 5% is recommended. Further research in the use of Shea butter cake in feeding of other mono gastric animal is suggested.