Response of Two Different Broiler Genotypes to Diets Containing Cocoa Pod Husk

2013

English

A total of 300 day old chicks from 2 commercial broiler genotypes were fed diets containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 percent cocoa pod husk (CPH) for 33 days. Thereafter, all the chicks were fed a common finisher diet which was devoid of CPH until 56 days of age. Body weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency and carcass traits (eviscerated, gastro intestinal tract (GIT), feather and liver weights) were measured. Genotype × CPH level interaction was not significant in this study. Body weight of the genotypes differed significantly (P<0.05) at 1, 33 and 56 days but not at 14 days. The different CPH levels however, elicited differences (P<0.05) in the body weight at 15 % and 20 % inclusion rates for ages 14 and 33 days. When fed a common finisher diet at 33 days, recovery in body weight was observed in broilers fed all but 20 % CPH diet by 56 days of age. Feed efficiency which declined beyond 5 % CPH level at 33 days showed an improvement in all broilers except those fed 20 % CPH. Eviscerated carcass, GIT and liver weights showed no differences among the diets. The results suggested that even though growth of chicks deteriorated beyond 10 % CPH by 33 days, advantage should be taken of the tremendous compensatory growth upon CPH withdrawal and thereby increase the starter CPH level to 15 percent.

Hagan, B. A.; Asafu-Adjaye, A.; Adu-Aboagye, G.; Lamptey, V. K.