Growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing rumenfiltrate fermented maize cobs as partial replacement for maizeHigh cost of maize in commercial poultry production remains one of the challenges towards meeting animal protein requirements by

Abstract

High cost of maize in commercial poultry production remains one of the challenges towards meeting animal protein requirements by Nigerians. This study evaluated the effects of graded levels of Rumen-Filtrate Fermented Maize Cobs (RFFMC) as partial replacement for maize in broiler chicken’s diet. The experimen lasted for eight weeks in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), and was carried out at the poultry unit of the University of Abuja Teaching and Research farm, Faculty of Agriculture, permanent site, along Giri- Airport Road, Abuja. There were four (4) dietary treatments and three (3) replicates per treatment with ten (10) birds per replicate. Standard routine management procedures were strictly followed. The test ingredients replaced maize at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% levels for T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Growth performance data (feed intake, daily weight gain, FCR were collected). The results revealed significant differences (P< 0.05) in body weights at Weeks 1, 3, and 4, as well as for overall weight gain and average daily weight gain. However, at Week 2, birds fed diets containing RFFMC recorded a total weight of 458.98 g. Birds fed the control diet recorded the highest weight gain, while those on 30% inclusion recorded the lowest. Body weight at Week 4 declined from 1622.25 g (control) to 1394.72 g (30% inclusion). Feed Intake
(FI) was significantly influenced (P < 0.05) by dietary treatments. Birds on the 10% inclusion diet recorded the highest FI (1085.35 g/bird), while the control and other inclusion levels recorded lower but comparable values. T1 had the best Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) of 1.82. This research concluded that rumen-filtrate fermentation can be used to enhance the potential of maize cobs as partial replacement for maize in broiler chicken’s diets but at a lower rate.