Research on World Agricultural Economy

Carcass Traits, Organ Proportion and Bio-Economic Cost Benefits Analysis of Broiler Chickens Fed Different Dietary Plant Protein Sources in Sorghum-Based Diet

C. A. Agida

College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

D. N. Onunkwo

College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

B. N. Ezenyilimba

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

E. M. Afam-Ibezim

College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

A. B. Ukonu

College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

U. E. John

College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria

C. I. Adje

Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/rwae.v2i3.425

Received: 21 June 2021; Accepted:20 July 2021; Published Online: 31 July 2021

---

Abstract

A 56-day study was carried out to evaluate the carcass characteristics and organ proportions of broiler chickens fed sorghum-based diets with varying plant protein. A total of 120 day-old broiler chickens from a reputable and disease free farm were used for this study. There were four treatments, each having thirty broiler birds replicated thrice with ten broiler birds per replicate using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The broiler birds were offered feed and water ad libitum. The growth parameters were taken on weekly basis. Carcass evaluation was carried out at the end of the trial. One bird per replicate was randomly selected, fasted over-night and slaughtered by severing the jugular vein. After scalding in warm water for about a minute, the feathers were manually plucked, each bird was cut into parts for carcass evaluation. The relative weights of the cut parts were as a percentage of dressed weight. The internal organs, such as heart, kidney, gizzard/proventriculus were all weighed separately and recorded using electric micrometer (3000g weighing gauge). The findings from this study showed that all the carcass parameters considered showed significant differences (p<0.05). Birds fed diet 3 gave the best live weight, slaughtered weight, defeathered weight, dressed weight and commensurate cut-parts. Soybean (whether cake or full-fat) demonstrate superiority over groundnut cake and cashew nut cake. Birds fed diet 3 gave the highest value of thigh, breast -cut, drumstick and wings, while birds fed diets 2, 1 and 4 gave less. The organ proportions of broiler chickens fed different dietary plant sources have all the parameters significantly difference (p<0.05), except the lungs though without any definite pattern. Average weight gain and feed conversion ratio were better (p<0.05) among birds fed diet 2, and 3. Cost benefits analysis per kilogram in naira terms for birds fed different plant protein sources in a sorghum-based diets were significant (p<0.05) among treatment levels. Least cost per kg feed was obtained in diet 1 (p<0.05). Cost of weight gained was (p<0.05) low in T1. Cost of feed consumed was low for diet T1 and T3. Revenue, gross margin and cost benefit ratio estimated were found to high (p<0.05) among T2 and T3. Broiler chickens fed diet 3 gave the best parameters. The actual contributions of the experiment, is to alternatively replace corn with sorghum completely at least cost with optimum performance.

Keywords: Carcass characteristics; Organ proportions; Cashew nut cake; Groundnut cake; Soyabean; Sorghum; Broiler birds

---

References

[1] Agida, C. A., Ukoha, O. A., Ukachukwu, S. N. and Amaefule, K. U. (2019). Proximate, mineral analysis and growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing palm oil mill effluent. Nigerian Agricultural Journal, 50(2): 81-86

[2] Agida, C. A., W., Nathaniel, J. Ukoha, O. A. and Ukachukwu, S. N. (2019). Haematological and serological indices of broiler finisher chickens fed diets with palm oil mill effluent as replacement for maize. Nigerian Agricultural Journal, 50(2): 38-44

[3] Douglas, J.H., Sullivan, T.W., Gonalez, N.J and Beck, M.M. (1993). Differential age response of turkeys to protein and sorghum tannin levels. Poultry Science, 72: 1944 -1951.

[4] Duncan, D.B. (1955). Multiple range and multiple F tests. Biometrics, 11:1-42.

[5] Freitas E.R, Fuentes M.F.F, Santos Júnior A.S, Guerreiro M.E.F, Espíndola G.B. (2006). Farelo da castanha de caju em rações para frangos de corte. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira, 41(6): 1001-1006.

[6] Gomes, T. R., Freitas, E. R., Watanabe, P. H., Sousa, A. R and Ferreira, A. C. S. (2020). Cashew nut meal (Anacardium occidentale L.) in the feeding of growing rabbits. Zootecnica. Ciênc. anim. bras. 21. https://doi.org/10.1590/1809-6891v21e-61927

[7] Jaji, M. F. O., Onigemo, M. A. and Adeyemo, M. A. (2011). Economics of substituting cashew nut waste for maize in the growth performance of broiler chicken. Proceedings of International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Vol. 5

[8] NRCRI (2019). Agro-meterological unit, National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Umuahia, Nigeria.

[9] Odunsi A.A (1999). Feeding values of cashew kernel meal in the diet of the finishing broiler chickens. Archivos de. Zootechnia 51: 423 - 429.

[10] Ojewola G.S and Longe O.G (2000). Evaluation of the productive and economic efficiencies of cowpea hall and maize offal inclusion in layers ration. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 27 (1) 35 - 39.

[11] Ojewola G.S and Ewa U. E (2005). Response of growing Broiler to varying dietary plant protein. International Journal of Poultry Science 4(10) 765 - 771.

[12] Ojewola, G.S., Abasiekong, S.F. and Nwachukwu, C. S. (2001). Methionine supplementation in diets: productive efficiency, carcass characteristics and economics of growing indigenous turkey. Tropical Journal of Animal Science; 4: 161 - 170.

[13] Oluyemi, J.A and Roberts F.A. (2000). Poultry production in warm wet climates Macmillan Publishers. London. pp 132.

[14] Onunkwo, D. N, Amaduruonye, W and Daniel-Igwe, G (2018). Assessment of abattoir wastes (bovine blood and rumen content) on carcass characteristics, internal organs and organoleptic properties of broiler birds. Nigerian Agricultural Journal. 49(1): 201-209.

[15] Onunkwo, D. N., Anyaegbu, B. C., Ezike, J. C and Daniel-Igwe, G (2019). Dietary substitution of soya bean meal with processed African yam bean meal as protein source in the diets of finisher broilers. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 46(2):118 – 127.

[16] Taiwo, O. A., Akinyinka, O. A and Taye, O. A. (2015). Cashew reject meal in diets of laying chickens: nutritional and economic suitability. Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 57:17.