ABSTRACT

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chicken fed dietary soyabean meal replaced with velvet bean (Muciina sloanei) at graded levels. Seven treatments were used for the research work in which velvet bean meal replaced soya bean meal at 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 50, and 60 percent levels respectively. One hundred and forty seven (147) day old CHIT broiler chick was used for the study. The birds was weighed individually and randomly allotted to each treatment. Each treatment consists of three replicates with seven birds per replicate in completely randomized design. The study lasted for 8 weeks during which water and feed were given to the birds ad libitum. Parameters of response measured include growth performance  caecass characteristics, organ proportion, economics of production, haematology, serume chemistry and meat nutrient Composition. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA.The result obtained in this study showed final body weight of broilers fed diet 1 (1013.33g), diet 2 (1028.89g), and diet 3 (987.78g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than broilers fed diet 4 (731.11 g), diet 5 (794.44g) and diet 6 (794.44g) while the least final body weight was recorded by birds fed diet 7 (721.43g). The average daily weight gain of broilers fed diet 1 (17.38), diet 2 (17.66g), and diet 3 (16.93g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher followed by broilers fed diet 5 (13.47g) and diet 6 (13.47g) while broilers fed diet 4 (12.34g) and diet 7 (12.17g) had the least average daily weight gain. Also, the average daily feed intake of broilers fed diet 1 (62. 30g), diet 2 (61.85g), and diet 3 (62.28g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher followed by broilers fed diet 5 (47.1 ig) and diet 7 (48.30g). The FCR obtained in this study showed broilers fed diet 7 (3.97) was significantly (P<0.05) higher followed by broilers fed diet 1 (3.59), diet 3 (3.68) and diet 4 (3.64) while the FCR of birds fed diet 2 (3.50), diet 5 (3.51) and diet 6 (3.26) had the least values. This means that birds on diets 2, 5 and 6 were better utilized by the birds for weight gain than birds on other treatment diets. The carcass characteristics showed that the live weight of broilers fed diet 1 (1 100.00g), diet 2 (1200.00g), and diet 3 (1200.Oog) were significantly (P<0.05) higher, the dressed weight of broilers fed diet 2 (1 133.33g) was significantly (P<0.05) higher, the dressing percentage of broilers fed diet 3 (66.67%) and diet 7 (66.67%) were significantly (P<0.05) higher, the breast cut of broilers fed diet 4 (33.91%) and diet 7 (31.00%) were significantly (p<O. 05) higher while the back cut of broilers fed diet 3 (23.71%) and diet 5 (24.97%) was significantly (p<O.OS) higher than other treatment diets. There was significant differences (P<0.05) in the haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCII), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) while there was no significant differences (P>0.05) in the packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and white blood cell (WBC) recorded across the treatment diets. There was significant differences (P<0.05) in the total protein and glucose while there was no significant differences (P>0.05) in the albumin, globulin, creatinine and cholesterol among the treatment groups. This implies that the experimental diets had little or no statistical effect on the parameters. From the study, it could be concluded that the blood quality of broiler chickens fed treatment diets containing velvet bean meal were favorably comparable to that of control diet 1. Therefore, velvet bean meal can be used to replace soyabean meal in the diet of broilers without any adverse haematological and serum biochemistry effect. The better performance of birds fed diet 2 and 3 which were comparable to the control diet tends to suggest that up to 20% velvet bean meal can be used to replace soyabean meal in broiler diets for normal efficient utilization of feed by birds. Therefore, birds fed diet 2 (10% replacement) and 3 (20% replacement) had higher live weight and dressed weight which were comparable to birds fed control diet (0% replacement). Incorporation of velvet bean meal as replacement for soyabean meal up to 20% inclusion level enhanced performance and improved carcass yield and organ proportions of broiler chickens, therefore recommended for good productivity of broilers, but the best replacement level of soyabean meal with velvet bean meal is 20%.