Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics And Economics Of Feeding Processed Velvet Bean (Mucuna Sloanei) And Multi-Enzyme (Maxigrain®) To Broiler Chicken:- Ezulike, Ogadimma A

ABSTRACT 'I ix I ■I ! This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance, carcass characteristics and economy of broilers fed diets containing processed velvet bean (Mucuna sloanei) meal and multi-enzyme (maxigrain®). A total of 150 day old Anak broilers birds were randomly assigned to 5 treatment diets (Diet 1 served as the control while diet 2, 3, 4, and 5 contain enzyme (maxigrain®) and 8.5% raw, boiled + dehulled (BDM), boiled (BM), and toasted (TM) velvet bean, respectively) in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) after a week of stabilization. The experiment lasted for 49 days. Data were collected on growth, carcass characteristics and economics of feeding the diets to broiler chickens. Proximate composition of velvet bean showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all parameters considered except for gross energy and dry matter. D3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher CP value (21.00%) followed by D5 (18.50%) while D2 had the least value (16.63%). D3 had the highest (p<0.05) NFE (55.20%) while D5 had the least (46.78%). DI (1381.70g), D3 (1313.70g), and D4 (1305.70g) had higher weight gain (p<0.05) than others while the least was recorded by D5 (825.00g). D3 had total feed intake 1315.7g that was significantly higher (p<0.05) than others followed by DI (1341.7g) while the least value was D5 (1079.7g). There was significant (p<0.05) differences obtained in all the parameters considered for cut parts except for drumstick, thigh and wing. The cost of feed consumed per bird was highest (p<0.05) in D2 (14654.00) and D5 (14655.00) while the least was D3 (N500.75). D5 (14345.65) had significantly (p<0.05) higher feed cost/kg weight gain while D3 (14240.55) and D2 (14236.00) had low feed cost/kg weight gain. For revenue and gross margin, D3 performed better than other treatment diets but similar with the control. D3 had significantly (p<0.05) higher revenue (141345.65) and gross margin (14854.00) than other treatment diets. Therefore, the comparatively better performance of birds fed D3 (boiled + dehulled Mucuna and enzyme) compared to the other treatment diets tends to suggest that processing (boiling and dehulling) of Mucuna sloanei seed and addition of enzyme can improve weight gain and feed intake of broiler chickens fed Mucuna based diet.