The effect of graded levels of bovine blood meal on growth performance, haematology and cost benefit of broiler chickens

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of graded levels of bovine blood meal diets on the growth performance, haematology and cost-benefit of broiler chickens production. A total of sixty broiler chickens of 4 weeks old were used in a 28 days feeding trial. The birds were randomly allotted to four treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated three times and each replicate had five birds. T1 (Control) contained 0% bovine blood meal. T2, T3 and T4 contained 5%, 10% and 15% bovine blood meal, respectively. The data such as feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, daily protein intake and protein efficiency ratio were generated. The haematological indices such as haemoglobin counts, packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocyte and eosinophil were evaluated. The feed cost - benefit analysis was performed on the following: feed cost/kg weight gain, total cost of production and net returns. All the data generated were subjected to statistical analysis using One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Mean values were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD). Results showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences in all the growth performance parameters except the total feed intake and average daily weight gain. There were no significant differences observed among the haematological parameters studied. The result of the feed cost analysis showed that feed cost/kg weight gain and total cost of production decreased as the levels of inclusion of bovine blood meal increased. The total revenue and net returns increased with the increasing levels of dietary inclusion of bovine blood meal. It was therefore observed that 15% inclusion level of bovine blood meal is adequate for finisher broiler chickens without adverse effect on their normal growth and development. It was also observed that it is relatively cheaper to feed broiler chickens with bovine blood meal based diets rather than the diet containing fish meal as protein source ingredient alone.