Abstract: The apparent nutrient and mineral retention of broilers fed periwinkle flesh in place of fishmeal was determined. One hundred and eighty day-old hyperco broiler chicks were used for this study, which lasted 8 weeks. Broilers were assigned to 5 experimental diets in a completely randomized block design. Diet 1 which served as control was a commercial broiler ration while diets 2-5 contained various levels of fishmeal, periwinkle flesh, palm kernel cake and palm kernel oil. At 7 weeks, 2 birds per replicate were selected for metabolic trials. Broiler chickens fed 2 or 4% PKO along with 25% PKC and 3% periwinkle flesh (diets 4 and 5) retained significantly more nutrients than the rest of the birds. Similarly, birds on 2 or 4% PKO along with 25% PKC and 3% periwinkle flesh had significantly higher retention of Ca, P and Fe than others. Results suggest improved apparent nutrient and mineral retention with the introduction of PKO, although the level of PKO inclusion was not significant.
B.I. Okon and A.A. Ayuk , 2007. Nutrient and Mineral Retention of Broilers Fed Periwinkle Flesh . Agricultural Journal, 2: 646-650.