EFFECT OF FEEDING Faidherbia albida POD MEAL ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding Faidherbia albida on growth performance of broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and sixty (160) broiler chickens were assigned to five treatments diets containing 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% Faidherbia albida pod meal in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated 4 times with 8 chicks per replicate. Data were collected for body weight gain, feed intake. Feed conversion ratio and feed cost were determined. The result of the proximate composition of the FAPM shows that it contains 9.51% crude protein, 25.91% crude fiber, 13.61% ether extract, 47.9% nitrogen free extract and 91.57% dry matter. The proximate composition of the experimental diets shows that crude protein ranges from 21.56 to 26.56% while ash content ranges from 6.46 to 10.47%. The final weight with the control diet was higher (P<0.05) than that of 7.5%FAPM diet. Those fed 2.5, 5.0 and 10% FAPM had similar final live weights with the control. Weight gain was also higher (P<0.05) in the control group compared to the 5%FAPM. The feeding of FAPM increased (P<0.05) feed intake of the experimental diets. Feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens fed 5.0%FAPM was higher (P<0.05) than the control. The result shows that total feed cost of birds fed 2.5%FAPM was statistically higher (P<0.05) than the control. Feed cost per kg gain of birds fed 5%FAPM was higher (P<0.05) than that of the control. It can be concluded that FAPM can be used up to 10% in the diets of broiler chickens.