PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS, ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION AND BLOOD PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKS FED DIETS CONTAINING BREWER-DRIED GRAINS AS REPLACEMENT FOR MAIZE-SOYA

Abstract

This study evaluated growth performance, economics of production and blood indices of broiler chicks fed diets in which brewer dried grain (BDG) partially replaced maize-soya as energy-protein ingredients. One hundred and twenty-day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly distributed to four dietary treatments. A control diet (T1) containing maize and soya as main energy and protein ingredients was formulated. BDG replaced 30%, 40%, and 50% of combined maize and soya in diets T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Each treatment had three replicates of 10 birds, and the trial lasted for 28 days. Growth performance indices, body weight changes and feed intake were measured. Data were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed significant effects (p < 0.05) of BDG inclusion on growth performance and economic indices. The final body weight (FBW), daily weight gain (DWG) and daily feed intake (DFI) decreased with increasing replacement level of maize and soya with BDG. Birds had higher average FBW (g/bird), DWG (g/bird), Feedcost per kilogram feed (Fc/kg feed (N)) and Feedcost per bird (Fc/bird (N)) on 0% BDG diet. The FBW and DWG were significantly similar on 30% and 40% BDG replacement. Packed Cell Volume (PCV%), white blood cell (WBC x10³/ul), Platelets (x10³/ul), Lymphocyte (%), Heterophils (%), Eosinophils (%), Mean Corpuscular Volume (fl), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (%) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (pg) were influenced by BDG. However, BDG had no effect on Haemoglobin (g/dL) and Red Blood Cell (x10⁶/uL) concentrations. The study concludes that up to 40% of maize-soya can be economically replaced with BDG in broiler starter diets without adverse effects on growth or health.