Performance and blood parameters of ross broiler chicks fed graded levels of beniseed cake as substitute for full fat soya meal

Abstract

One hundred and fifty Ross broiler chicks were used to investigate the effect of replacing full fat soya bean meal (FFSM) with beniseed cake (BSC) on performance, serum and haematological parameters of the birds. Five diets were formulated with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% BSC replacing FFSM. Each of the diets represented a treatment and each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design experiment. Fresh feed was provided ad libitum on daily basis and clean drinking water given free choice throughout the 28 days of the study. Data collected on weekly basis were used to calculate the average daily feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Results obtained indicated that the average final body weight, average body weight gain, average daily feed intake, cost per kg feed and cost of feed per kg live weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. Cost per kg feed and cost of feed per kg weight gain significantly (P<0.05) reduced with increasing levels of substitution of BSC for FFSM in the diets. All serological parameters were similar (P>0.05) across the dietary treatments and the haematological parameters are within the standards reported for healthy chicken. It was concluded that BSC could replace FFSM up to 100% in the diets of broiler chicks.