ABSTRACT

 The efficacy of three dietary fibre sources supplemented with "bio-growth promoter on the performance of finishing broiler chickens were comparatively evaluated. Four diets were formulated and supplemented with 500g of "bio-growth promoter". Diet 1 (Control and Maize based) had no fibre source. Diet 2 had 12% of brewers' dried grain; diet 3 had_15% of palm kernel cake, while diet 4 had 20% of maize offal. Other ingredients were adjusted in such a way that the diets met nutrient requirement of finishing broilers. A total of 120 broilers of 4 weeks old were divided into 4 groups of 30 birds each and each group was randomly assigned to one of the 4 experimental diets in a Completely Randomized Design. Each group was replicated 3 times and each replicate of 1 O birds were housed in a pen each. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum. The data collected included initial body weight, final body weight, feed intake, feed-to-gain ratio. Protein and energy requirement as well as economics of production were determined. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The experiment lasted 35 days. Toe final body weight value showed significant difference (P<0.05) among treatments means, with treatment 4 having the highest value (2135.00g). Body weight gain in birds fed diets 2 and 3 were comparable. The feed intake of birds for diets 2, 3 and 4 were similar, while that of diet 1 was significant (P<0.05). Feed-to-gain ratio was significantly different (P<0.05) amongst groups but similar for birds fed diets 2 and 3, while birds fed diet 4 had the best value (2.33). Daily protein (g) required for maintenance ranged between 0.31 and 0.76 while that for tissue and feather ranged from 5.22 and 18.22 and 1.43 and 6.00 respectively. Feed cost per kg decreased from N61.11 to N53.66. Cost per total feed IX intake had a significant difference amongst all groups. Cost saving was higher for birds fed diets 2, 3 and 4 with a better cost benefit ratio of 6.74, 6.22, and 6.47. It is therefore, concluded that fibre sources can replace maize in the diets of finishing broilers if supplemented with bio-growth promoter. Diets 3 and 4 are therefore, recommended while diet 2 is also an option in formulating feeds for finishing broilers.