Effect of feeding rice gluten meal as alternate protein source on carcass traits, haematology, serum biochemical parameters and economics in broiler chicken

Abstract

The rise in the cost of conventional (maize and soybean) feed sources due to less production and competition for humans has become a constraint in economical poultry production. There is a need to explore alternative feed sources to reduce the cost and make poultry a profitable enterprise. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of feeding rice gluten meal on carcass traits, serum biochemical parameters, gut health and cost economics in broiler chicken. Three hundred twenty day-old CARIBRO Vishal variety of broiler chicks were randomly divided into eight treatment groups with five replicates of eight birds in each, to evaluate four dietary levels (0, 150, 175, and 200g/kg diet) of rice gluten meal (RGM) with and without protease enzyme in a 42-day feeding trial. The results revealed no significant difference in carcass traits and small intestine measurements on feeding RGM either alone or with protease enzyme supplementation. No significant difference was found in haematology and gut heath microbiology. Among the serum biochemical parameters, albumin and AST were significantly (P<0.01) decreased as the level of rice gluten meal was increased in the diet. Moreover, the cost of meat production was found significantly lower in treatment groups as compared to control with no significant effect of protease enzyme supplementation. Hence, it can be concluded that incorporation of RGM up to 20% level was found economical without affecting the carcass traits, haematology, gut health and most of the serum biochemical parameters in broiler chicken.