Abstract
Carcass characteristics, organ weights, and intestinal biometry of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with black velvet tamarind (Dialium guineense) stem bark (BSB) were assessed. Two hundred, day-old Ross 308 broilers were divided into 4 groups of 50 chickens, and each group replicated five times. Each group were assigned to one experimental diet in a completely randomised design designated T0 (0), T1 (0.5), T2 (1.0) and T3 (1.5 g BSB/kg feed). Data obtained on carcass characteristics, organ weights, and intestinal biometry were analysed statistically. Results showed that BSB was low in crude protein (6.42%) and high in crude fibre (30.65%) and ash (9.35%). Broiler chickens fed diet T1 had significantly higher (P < 0.05) breast and drumstick weights than those offered the other 3 diets. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the abdominal fat pad, liver, proventriculus, gizzard weight, and intestinal biometry of broiler chickens in all the groups. Results also showed that dietary BSB supplementation level had a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) on breast, drumstick, liver, proventriculus weight, abdominal fat pad, and intestinal biometry of broiler chickens. In contrast, dietary BSB supplementation levels had linear effect (P < 0.05) on gizzard weight. It can be concluded that BSB is rich in ash and fibre, and is suitable as a feed additive in broiler chicken diets at a level not beyond 0.5 g/kg feed for best organ weight, carcass yield, intestinal biometry. Thus, there is potential to utilize BSB for improved productivity of broiler chickens.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.