Original scientific paper
UTILIZATION OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER (Tithonia diversifolia, Hemsley, A. Gray) LEAF MEAL ON THE AVERAGE PRODUCTION COST AND RETURNS OF BROILER CHICKS
A.H. Ekeocha
; Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
T.O. Bankole
; Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
One hundred and fifty (150) white day old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used in evaluating the utilization of Mexican sunflower meal on the economics of broiler chicks. The broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments A, B, C, D and E. Treatment A served as the control and treatments B, C, D and E received Mexican sunflower leaf meal at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10.0% levels replacing maize and soymeal respectively. Feed and water were provided ad-libitum and routine vaccinations and medications administered. Performance characteristics measured were feed intake and net profit. The results of the experiment showed that there were significant differences (P < 0.05) in the live weight and feed intake. However, birds in treatment A performed best by attaining a live weight of 2610.30g in 8 weeks with feed intake of 4,68g per bird. The same birds yielded the highest net profit of € 0.853 or $1.586 per bird in dressed weight unlike a deficit of € 0.295 or $0.55 per bird in treatment E (10%MSLM). Birds in treatments B (2.5% MSLM), C (5.0% MSLM) and D (7.5% MSLM) had appreciable level of profits which suggests that in the absence of conventional feed stuff, non-conventional feeds such as MSLM at 2.5% to 7.5% can be optimized in the diets of broilers.
Keywords
lesser known sunflower; production cost; broiler chicks
Hrčak ID:
80181
URI
Publication date:
10.4.2012.
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