THE SUBSTITUTION OF PIGEON PEA SEED (CAJANUS CAJAN) FOR GROUNDNUT CAKE AND MAIZE IN BROILER FINISHER RATION

Abstract

One hundred and twenty 4 - week old broilers were used to study the effect of substituting pigeon pea seed meal (PPSM) for groundnut cake and maize in broiler finisher rations. The 4 diet groups contained 0, 30, 40, and 50% PPSM and measurements taken in the 3 week study were weight gain, feed intake feed conversion ration and protein efficiency ratio. Results showed that body weight gain of the birds increased as the proportion of PPSM in the diets increased. The final body weights were 1.47, 1.64, 1.71 and 1.73kg for 0.30, 40, and 50% respectively. Feed and protein intake significantly increased as a result of replacing groundnut cake and maize with PPSM up to 40%, but did not show significant difference between 40 and 50%. I Feed intake figures were 96.80, 129.90, 144.30 and 142.60g and corresponding protein intake figures were 20.67, 27.64, 30.72 and 30.57g for 0, 30, 40 and 50% inclusion of PPSM respectively. Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio did not significantly differ among the diets.