Growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed raw and differently processed roselle(Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seed meal

Abstract

One hundred and fifty (150)day-old Abor acre broiler chicks were used for this experiment toassess growth performance and carcass characteristics of broilers fed processed roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seed meal were investigated. The birds were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments with three replicates (ten chicks per replicate)each in a completely randomized design (CRD). In the feeding trial, raw roselle seed meal (R RSM), roasted roselle seed meal (R RSM), boiled roselle seed meal (BRSM) and soaked roselle seed meal (SRSM) were incorporated as part replacement for groundnut cake at 50% level of inclusion.Proximate composition of the processed test ingredients and the results showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences among the treatment means. Raw roselle seed meal (RaRSM) gave the least crude protein while the highest was recorded in boiled roselle seed meal (BRSM). Birds fed diet without roselle seed meal inclusion (control diet) had the best final body weight and feed conversion ratio but not significantly (P>0.05) different from other treatments.Birds in treatments 2 and 4 (RaRSMand BRSM) had the least survival rate (96.67%)while the rest treatments had 100%. Cut-up parts showed no significant (P>0.05) differences exceptfor the wings of the bird fed roasted roselle seedmeal was significantly (P<0.05) different and higher than those fed control, raw, boiled and soaked roselle seed meal (10.87, 7.52, 9.85 and 9.46%, respectively). Results from visceral organs showed no significant (P>0.05) differencesexceptproventriculus which exhibited significant (P<0.05) differences among the treatment means. Proventriculus of bird fed roasted roselle seedmeal (R RSM)was highest (0.80%)while those fed raw roselle seedmeal (R RSM) gave the least (0.50%). This study however, revealed that using processed (roasted, boiled and soaked) roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seed meal as part replacement for groundnut cake has no deleterious effects onthe broilerchickens.