Response of Finisher Broilers to Graded Levels of Soyabean Hull and Supplementary Enzyme

Abstract

The aim of this 28-day feeding trial was to examine the possibilities of effective utilization of soya bean hull (SBH) by supplementing with liptozyme enzyme in broiler rations so as to enhance performance and carcass yields. One hundred and twenty unsexed day-old broiler chicks of the Anak breed were purchased from a Commercial hatchery in Owerri, Imo State. 4 broilers finisher diets were formulated to contain soyabean hull at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% dietary levels designated SBH₀, SBH_5, SBH_10, and SBH₁₅ respectively and were used to feed 120 broiler finishers. The birds were divided into 4 groups of 30 broilers per treatment and replicated 3 times with 10 birds per replicate: The treatments were randomly assigned to the birds in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Result indicates significant differences (P<0.05) in daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and cost of feed between the control group and those fed SBH based diets especially beyond 10% inclusion level. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the control diet (SBH₀) and SBH based diets in dressed weight, breast muscle, drumsticks weight and dressing percentage decreasing with increasing dietary level of SBH except the gut content (organ weights) such as intestine and liver which significantly increased (P<0.05) with increasing dietary level of SBH. Broiler finishers can tolerate upto 15% level of soyabean hull for profit maximization and reduction of the cost of production hence a booster to animal protein intake among the Sub-Saharan African countries.