ABSTRACT

The effect of toasted jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed meal (TJFM) on performance,

carcass and economics of production was investigated using 120 broiler chickens. The birds were

divided into four dietary treatments of 3 replicates and 10 birds per replicate in a completely

randomized design (CRD). Diet one was soybean based (control) while toasted JFM was added

to diet2, diet 3 and diet 4 at 5%, 10% and 15% inclusion levels. The growth performance was

generally depressed with increased inclusion of toasted JFM in the diets, while the feed

conversion ratio of birds placed on control diet (2.18) and diet 2 (2.70) were the same (P>0.05)

and are significantly better (P<0.05) than other treatments. The dressed weight were similar

(P>0.05) and maximized (P<0.05) on the control diet with dressing percentage 68.32% which is

significantly higher (P<0.05) than the remaining treatment groups. The prime cuts (thigh, breast

cut and drum sticks) were similar in all the treatment groups. Relative weight of organs

proportion showed that there was no significant differences (P>0.05) across the treatment groups

except in the spleen where broiler chickens fed diet 1(0%) were significantly higher (P<0.05)

than those fed diet 2 (5%). The cost per Kg feed was higher (P<0.05) in birds fed diet 1

(l71.53) and diet 2 (N163.87) which decreased with increase in inclusion level of toasted JFM;

diet 3 (N156.21) and diet 4 (N148.55). the cost of feed consumed was higher (P<0.05) in diet 1

(53 1.29), but decreased with increase in inclusion of toasted JFM; diet 2 (498.55), diet

3(N468.58) and diet 4 (N446.69). the cost per Kg weight gained, cost of production and revenue

were similar across the treatment groups where birds fed diet 1 were significantly higher

(P<0.05) than the remaining treatment groups while the result of the gross margin obtained from

birds fed diet 1 and diet 2 are comparable and higher than other treatment groups. From the

foregoing, toasted JFM is a potential feed resource and could be included in the diet of broiler

chickens up to 5% inclusion level.