Effect of Locally Produced Blood Meal on Growth Performance and Packed Cell Volume of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

This research evaluated the effect of locally produced blood meal on growth performance of broiler chicks. Three experimental diets were formulated; diet one served as control without blood meal, diet 2 contained 100g of blood meal mixed in 500g of chick mash while diet 3 contained 300g of blood meal mixed with 500g of chick mash. Forty-five broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the three treatments having five birds per cage. Each treatment was replicated three times. The experimental diets and portable water were supplied ad libitium throughout the experimental period for 42 days. At the end of the experiment, birds fed diet 2 (100g blood meal and 500g chick mash) gained more weight having mean weight gain of 3.04g than birds fed with diet 3 (300g of blood meal mixed with 500g of chick mash) having mean weight gain of 2.95g and birds fed with diet 1 (control, no blood meal). Also there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the packed cell volume of birds feed with diet 2 and those fed with diet 1 and 3. The result of the research indicated that diet 2 enhances growth and boosts the PCV in broiler chicks. Broilers fed with diet two had the highest mean packed cell volume of 41.40%, followed by those fed with diet 3 which had 40.20% while those fed with diet 1 had 37%.