Blend of Bovine Blood and Rumen Digesta as a Replacement for Fishmeal and Groundnut Cake in Layer Diets

Abstract

The mixture of bovine blood and rumen digesta (BBRDM) was evaluated as a replacement for groundnut cake (GNC) and fishmeal (FM) in the diets of layer chickens. Five diets were formulated in which diet 1 served as the control diet (CD) without BBRDM. Diets 2 and 3 contained 5 and 10 % BBRDM replacing 28 and 56% respectively of the GNC in the CD. Diets 4 and 5 contained BBRDM at 5 and 10% replacing 50 and 100% of the FM also in the CD. Each diet was offered to 18 layers (36 weeks old) divided into three equal replicates for a period of 8 weeks. On analysis, BBRDM contained 46.1% crude protein, 2.13% ether extract, 6.38% crude fibre, 23.4% ash and 16.02% nitrogen free extractive. Results indicated significantly lower (p<0.05) feed intake, hen-day egg production, egg weight and shell thickness in birds fed BBRDM based diets with a worsened feed/egg ratio compared to the CD. Haugh unit and yolk index were however, enhanced (p<0.05) with the use of BBRDM. Feed cost per kg egg was reduced in diets in which BBRDM replaces FM while this parameter increased for GNC. Net returns were raised by 4 and 10% in FM diets whereas negative returns were recorded for GNC. The profit-maximizing objective of table egg production is achievable by BBRDM utilization in layer feed as a replacement for FM and not for GNC. Results suggested that in the form fed, BBRDM should be cautiously used and that layers fed diets in which FM was replaced gave a better performance compared to those involving GNC.