EVALUATION OF DIETARY INCLUSION OF DIRECT FED MICROBES (DFM) ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKEN

Abstract

A 56 days study was carried out using a total of 96-day-old breed of Ross 308 to evaluate the dietary inclusion of Direct Fed Microbes (DFM) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. There were twenty-four birds in each treatment and eight birds per replicate. Four experimental diets were formulated; T1 (0% DFM), T2 (2.5% DFM), T3 (5% DFM) and T4 (7.5% DFM) .Feed and water were given ad libitum throughout the duration of the experiment which lasted 56 days. Cut carcass parts were weighed and recorded. Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The growth performance parameters such as final weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of the four treatment diets showed no significant differences (p<0.05). The carcass characteristics of the broiler chicken such as dressing percent, wings, hearts and large intestine were significantly different among the four treatment. T2; (2.5% DFM) recorded the most significant for dressing percent and wing weight, whereas, T3, (3.0%) DFM recorded least value in the two traits considering dressing percent and wing weight. Also, T2, significantly produced higher dressing percent and wing weight compared to other experimental diets (T3, and T4,). It was therefore concluded that broiler diet could be supplemented with not more than 2.5% Direct Fed Microbes without having any deleterious effects on growth and carcass characteristics of broiler birds.