Abstract:
A total of 160 one day old broiler chicks (Hubbard ), were used in this experiment . Four experimental isocaloric and isonitrgenous experimental diets contained graded levels of hatchery waste (HW) (0.0, 3%, 6% and 9%) were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements for broiler chickens as recommended by NRC (1994) to study the effects of feeding graded levels of hatchery waste on broiler chickens production performance. Feed intake (g/bird), Body weight, Weight gain (g/bird) and feed conversion ratio (g feed/g gain) were recorded on weekly basis and at the end of the experiment. Eight birds from each treatment were slaughtered and then eviscerated, dressing percent was calculated and then carcass, breast, thigh and drum stick weights were recorded.
The result revealed that feeding 9% (H.W) resulted in a significant (P <0.05) reduction in the total feed intake (g/ bird) compared to those fed 0.0, 3 and 6% (H.W). The total weight gain (g/bird) followed the same trend of the mean total feed intake. Final body weight (g/bird) resulted in no significant differences between the birds fed the control diet 0.0% and those fed 3% (H.W),both dietary treatments showed a significant (P <0.05) improvement in the final body weight (g/bird) compared to those fed 6 and 9% (H.W). The birds fed 9% H.W had significantly (p<0.05) higher feed conversion ratio compared to those fed the control diet 0.0% , 3% and 6%.
Dressing percentage was significantly (p<0.05) lower for birds fed 9% (H.W),the results also showed that the thigh weight was significantly higher in the groups fed the control diet 9% (H.W) compared to those fed 3% and 6% (H.W).
The determined chemical analysis of the HW indicated that HW had 3% ash, 8.6 % ether extract , 21.87% CP, 1.4 % CF, 24% Ca , 1.25 % P and 15.5 ME /Kcal/Kg.
This study has showed that HW is a potential as nonconventional protein source feedstuff in broiler diets. Therefore, it can be concluded that (HW) can be incorporated in broiler diet up to 6% without adverse effects.
