GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING FERMENTED POULTRY DROPPINGS

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing fermented poultry droppings at starter phase. The birds were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments and three replicates in a completely randomized design with thirty (30) birds per replicate. They were fed five experimental diets containing 0% fermented poultry droppings and 5% poultry droppings fermented for 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours respectively. Data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. The result showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the values obtained for final body weight, average body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and Mortality. However, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the values obtained for average feed intake. Broiler birds fed diets containing 5% poultry droppings fermented for 72 hours had the highest average final body weight (579.63 g) while those fed with diets containing 0% fermented poultry droppings (control) had the least average final body weight gain (519.80 g).the best feed conversion ratio (01.87) was recorded in broiler birds fed with diets containing 5% poultry droppings fermented for 96 hours while the poorest feed conversion ratio (2.00) was observed on broiler birds fed diets containing 5% poultry droppings fermented for 24 hours. In conclusion, fermented poultry droppings could be used up to 5% substitution for conventional protein feed stuffs in broiler diet without any adverse effect on the growth performance.