ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF REPLACEMENT OF SYNTHETIC METHIONINE AND LYSINE WITH BAOBAB SEED MEAL IN BROILER FINISHER DIETS

Abstract

The effects of feeding baobab seed meal (BSM) as a replacement for synthetic methionine and lysine (SML) on economics of broiler finisher chickens was carried out in a 28-day feeding trial. A total of 180-day old chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly allotted into a complete randomized design (CRD) and replicated 3 times with 12 birds each. The diets were formulated to be isocaloric (3000kcal/kg) and isonitrogenous (19% crude protein) with BSM included at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% replacing SML. Birds were reared in a deep litter system and fed with known quantity of experimental diets with water supplied ad libitum. Standard routine management practices were strictly observed. The result showed significant reduction in the cost of feed consumed 364.37, 252.30, 313.46, 262.63 and 269.95N/kg/bird. Birds fed synthetic ML had higher cost of feed consumed (364.3795N/kg/bird) compared to those fed 25 %BSM (252.3095N/kg/bird) and other baobab included diets. Similarly, total cost of production was also reduced significantly (P<0.05) as 1071.35, 903.63, 1023.07, 990.44 and 1037.20N/bird. Birds fed 75% and 100% BSM had lower TCP (990.44 and 903N/bird) compared to those fed on synthetic ML (1071.35N/bird).Baobab methionine and lysine could economically replace synthetic lysine and methionine up to 100%. However, 75% gave more revenue and profit margin