Part II: Economic Analyses and the Growth Performance of Broiler Finisher (29-58day) Birds on High Fibre-low Protein Industrial Plant By-products

Aims: To explore the possibility of utilizing bio-fermented industrial plant by-products as supplementary crude protein sources in broiler finisher phase of production.

Study Design: Two hundred and eighty-eight (288) birds were picked and randomized into six treatments in a completely randomize designed experiment. The data collected were subjected to One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using Minitab computer model (Version 16).

Place and Duration of Study: Research study was carried out at the Teaching & Research Farm of Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, a town in the Southwest Nigeria between June and September 2016.

Methodology: The composite of the palm kernel meal (PKM), brewer dried grains (BDG) and molasses were prepared using a ratio of 50litres of water to 25 kg of PKM, 25 kg of BDG and 2.5 litres of molasses. The composite was fermented and dried before incorporation into experimental diets as protein supplement at 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35% inclusion levels in a completely randomized designed experiment.

Results: The average daily feed intake (ADFI) among treatments did not vary significantly (p˃0.05). Birds fed the 30% PBMC (diet 5) had the highest (P<0.05) weight gain value of 44.5±6.2 g/bird/day. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds on 30% PBMC (diet 5) had the lowest significant (P<0.05) value of 2.15±0.21. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of birds on 30% PBMC had the highest significant (P<0.05) value of 2.39±0.50. Birds fed with diet 5 (30% inclusion level of PBMC) had the highest total net returns of N1511.86 followed by birds on diets containing zero level of PBMC, 35, 20, 15 and 25% PBMC inclusion levels in that order.

Conclusion: In conclusion, for practical poultry feed formulation, fermented PBMC can be incorporated at levels up to 30% inclusion rates in broiler diets at the finisher phase of production where PBMC can be significantly utilized and converted to broiler meat.