Balancing Amino Acids Supply and Requirements in the Diets of Broiler Finishers Fed Diets Containing Different Protein Sources
I. S. Harande *
Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Agriculture Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
F. A. Maiyama
Department of Entrepreneurship Education, College of Agriculture Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
M. S. Ribah
Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Agriculture Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
I. Ieivere
Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Agriculture Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
A. Isiaka
Department of Animal Production and Health, College of Agriculture Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
S. A. Hamza
Science Staff School, College of Agriculture Zuru, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing different protein sources was evaluated. One hundred and fifty (150) Ross 308 day-old chicks were divided into three experimental treatment groups, and each treatment group was replicated five times, with 10 chicks per replicate. Three treatment diets were prepared as follows: T1 contained GNC as the major protein source, T2 contained SBM as the major protein source, while T3 contained a combination of GNC and SBM as the two major protein sources as follows – GNC and SBM. The results showed that body weight gain as well as feed and water intake were better for T2 and T3 compared to T1 (P<0.05); even though FCR did not differ significantly between the treatments (P>0.05). It is concluded that feeding broiler diets containing either SBM or a combination of GNC & SBM enhanced performance compared to feeding GNC as the major source of protein.
Keywords: Broiler finishers, diets, protein sources, performance.