Authors : J.O. Isikwenu and S.I. Omeje
Abstract: The implications of replacing GNC with urea-treated and fermented BDG in broiler finisher diets on the blood, carcass and organs characteristics was investigated. Urea-treated and fermented BDG was used to replace GNC at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels in broiler finisher diets. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to supply 20% crude protein and 3000kcal/kg metabolizable energy. One hundred and ninety-five 35 days old broiler chicks of Anak breed were randomly allocated to five equal dietary treatments of 13 chicks per replicate and 39 chicks per treatment and fed ad libitum in rearing cages. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from replicates in the treatment groups for analyses. At 8 weeks of age, two birds per treatment fasted overnight were weighed and slaughtered for carcass evaluation. The carcass and organ parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by dietary treatments, except for the neck and breast weights that were significantly (p<0.05) affected by dietary treatments. Apart from RBC, WBC, albumin, urea, hydrobicarbonate and creatinine values which were significantly (p<0.05) influenced, all other blood parameters were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by dietary treatments. The use of urea-treated and fermented BDG is safe as a replacement for GNC in broiler diets as results indicate absence of pathological abnormalities.
J.O. Isikwenu and S.I. Omeje , 2007. The Effects on the Blood, Carcass and Organs of Finisher Broilers Fed Groundnut Cake Diets Replaced with Urea-Treated and Fermented Brewer`s Dried Grains. Agricultural Journal, 2: 64-70.