Effect of Feeding Graded Levels of Acid Soaked Cajanus cajan Seed on Carcass Characteristics and Organ Weight Changes of Broiler Finisher

Abstract

A total of (90) day old broilers were used for the study to determine the carcass characteristics and organ weight changes of broiler finisher fed graded levels of acid soaked Cajanus cajan seed meal diet. The birds were randomly assigned into 3 dietary treatments of 30 birds consisting of 3 replicates of (10) birds per replicates in a completely randomized design experiment. The seeds used were purchased from Towobowo market in Igboora. The raw pigeon pea seeds were pre-treated by soaking at the rate of 1 kg/3L of water for 12 hours after which the soaked seeds were soaked at the rate of 1 kg/3L of raw pap water filtrate for 24 hours, initial and final pH was taken. The sample was sundried for 3 days, milled and then included in the diet accordingly. Birds on T1 received the control diet, T2 received 10% level of processed pigeon pea, while T3 received 20% level of processed pigeon pea. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. At the end of the 8 weeks feeding trial, three (3) birds per treatment were sacrificed for carcass analysis and internal organs were harvested to determine the weight changes in the internal organs. Results showed that there was significant (P > 0.05) difference in the live weight, dress weight, plugged weight, dressing percentage, neck, wing, breast muscle, thigh, drum stick and shank. However, there was no significant (P 0.05) in liver, lungs, spleen, kidney, bile, GIT weight, open gizzard, empty gizzard, Proventriculus and GIT length and there was no significant (P < 0.05) difference in live weight and heart. Birds on T2 had the highest value of liver (2.15%), lungs (0.56%), GIT weight (4.72%) and GIT length (5.53%) while birds on T3 had the lowest value of liver (1.84%), lungs (0.37%), GIT weight (4.01%). It can be concluded that pigeon pea soaked in acidic medium can be fed to birds without having any negative effect on carcass characteristics and organ weight changes of broiler finisher.