ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Smart Choice Concentrate added as a supplement to a corn-soy diet in broiler chickens. A total number of 150 Marshall broilers were used for the experiment which lasted for 56 days (8 weeks). The experiment was carried out at the Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Research farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The experimental birds were divided into five treatment groups denoted as T₁ , T₂, T₃, T₄and T₅ containing 0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% SCC respectively. Each treatment group was replicated thrice and each replicate contained at least 10 birds arranged in a Completely Randomized Design. Data were collected on proximate composition of experimental diet, growth performance (initial weight, final weight, daily feed intake, daily weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio), carcass characteristics, internal organ proportions and economics of production. All data collected were analyzed statistically using SPSS Software Package. Result collected showed that SCC increased (P<0.05) the DM of the diets up to the 8% level and the crude protein up to 6% level, but did not affect (P>0.05) ether extract and crude fibre. The result of the growth performance recorded significant differences in final weight, average body weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake and Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR). The result of growth performance favoured the SCC diets compared to the control in terms of final weight and daily weight gain. Supplementation at the 8% level recorded higher final weight 1485.33g and higher daily weight gain 27.94 g/bird compared to the Control diet 1238.33g and 22.24g/bird respectively. The FCR however was better in the Control compared to the SCC-containing diets. The carcass characteristics of the broiler chickens recorded significant differences (P<0.05) in live weight, dressed weight, shank, thigh, drumstick and back muscle. T4recorded the most significant (P><0.05) value in live weight (1666.67g) and dressed weight (1180g) whereas the control diet (T1) recorded the least values in live weight (1253.33g) and dressed weight (733.33g). The dressed weight, an important carcass parameter was higher in the SCC-diets compared to the Control diet. Among the internal organs, SCC supplementation affected only the kidney and small intestine weights which were higher in the Control diet compared to the SCC-diets. However, the SCC-diets and the Control diet showed great similarity (P>0.05) in the relative weights of head, neck, spleen, crop, lungs, large intestine, pancreas, liver, gizzard, bile, abdominal fat, proventriculus and heart. Higher profits were recorded among the SCC-diets compared to the control diet. The 6%SCC (T4) particularly recorded the highest profit (N501.39) whereas the Control obtained the least profit (N3 19.71). In conclusion, based on the improved dry matter content, higher final weight, daily weight gain, dressed weight and higher profits recorded in the SCC-supplemented diets, up to 8%SCC can be included in broiler chickens diet without adverse effect. However, for best performance, the 6% SCC is recommended based on its highest final weight, live weight, dressed weight and highest profit.