Growth performance, digestibility and carcass yield of broilers finisher fed fluted pumpkin pod-based diet

Abstract

Fluted pumpkin pods (FPP) contain valuable nutrients alongside rich fibre profile which can be explored in animal nutrition. Matured FPP was air dried after the seeds had been expunged, ground (2 mm) and included as a treatment in the broiler diets. The diets were formulated to supply 20.15% CP and 12.62 MJ, with graded FPP inclusion levels of 25, 50 75 and 100%. In total, one hundred and fifty one-day-old chicks (Arbor Acres) were raised for eight (8) weeks and fed an FPP-based diet at the finisher phase (4th to 8th week). The data collected were analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Compared with the control group, the T3 group (50% FPP) showed a significantly higher feed conversion ratio (2.88) and final weight of 3010.03 g. The digestibility of crude protein was significantly higher in T3 (86.96%), whereas crude fibre digestibility in T5 reached 49.96%. The dressing percentage was significantly higher in T3 (66.45%), whereas 75% FPP (T4) presented a higher percentage breast (28.60%SW) and thigh (17.02%SW) cut parts. It was concluded that broilers fed a diet supplemented with 50% FPP showed improved performance and nutrient digestibility, whereas the diet containing 100% FPP (T5) resulted in reduced belly fat. Keywords: fluted pumpkin pod, broiler chicken, fibre, digestibility, carcass yield