EVALUATION OF A BLEND OF MAIZE COB AND CATTLE BLOOD AS PROTEIN FEEDSTUFF FOR BROILER CHICKENS *MAKINDE, O. A. AND UDOMA, B. A.

Abstract

Maize cob and cattle blood are largely wastes from agricultural processes, which, if converted into useful products, will contribute to reducing environmental pollution. The study was conducted to develop and evaluate a maize cob and cattle blood blend as an alternative protein feedstuff for broiler chickens. Finely ground maize cobs were mixed with cattle blood at different ratios, comprising 1:0, 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. All combinations were sun-dried to < 10% moisture content in about four hours. The nutritional chemical components of the mix were determined by proximate analysis, and gross energy content by bomb calorimeter. Gross energy content ranged from about 3,800 to 4000 kcal/kg, crude protein (6-32%), crude fibre (15-27%), ether extract (4-5%), ash (2-6%), and NFE (38-57%). Apparent metabolizable energy (AME), protein, and dry matter digestibility were determined by the precision digestibility method. The AME ranged from 1,700-2,400 kcal ME/kg, crude protein digestibility from 10-48%, and dry matter digestibility (DMD) from 44-60%. The DMD was significantly higher (P<0.05) for maize cob than for all maize cobs with cattle blood blends, and all maize cobs with cattle blood blends had higher crude protein digestibility coefficients than maize cob. Maize cob-blood meals of 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 can serve as protein supplements for broilers because of the crude protein contents of 26%, 30%, and 32%, respectively.  The maize cob-blood meal produced under the conditions of this study can serve as a potential moderate energy and a fair protein supplement for finisher broiler chickens. However, further evaluation may be required in a growth trial to underscore its usefulness.