Carcass characteristics of Broiler Chicken Fed on Graded of Fish Meal and Green Protein

Abstract

The effect of replacing fish meal with Napier grass extract- protein on carcass characteristics and serum blood profile of broiler chickens were assessed. 300 One-day old COBB 500 broiler chickens were randomly divided into 15 groups of 20 birds each kept in 15 pens with floor area of 1.8m2 and were fed for 6 weeks on diets that were formulated by gradually replacing fish meal protein with Napier grass protein concentrate at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%. Each treatment was replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD). The birds were reared in a deep litter house. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. At 28 days of age, three birds from each replicate were randomly selected and slaughtered. Relative weights of carcass portions and organs, colour of the meat and blood lipid profile were assessed. Blood lipid profile was not significantly (P˃0.05) affected by the dietary regimes. However, the dietary regimes had a significant effect (P<0.05) on carcass portion yield and colour of the broiler meat. The data suggests that the 25% dietary treatment was the closest to producing the same relative weights of carcass portions and organs as well as colour to those of the 0% dietary treatment (only contained fish meal). Therefore, suggesting that Napier grass extract-protein could be a promising new feed ingredient for chickens.