Evaluation of camel rumen content as a feed for broiler chickens

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance, carcass characteristics and haematological parameters of broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of Camel Rumen Content (CRC) as a replacement for maize and groundnut cake. CRC was included in the diets of broilers at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% and designated as TI, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Five dietary treatments were formulated. One hundred and fifty day-old broiler chicks (Anak breed) were randomly allotted to five treatments replicated thrice with 10 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum for 28 days. Means of body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio of broilers fed the control diet, 5%, 10% and 15 % CRC diets were significantly (P 0.05) differences in the haematological parameters measured except haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Also, basophils and monocytes were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the differential counts measured. It was concluded that up to 15% CRC can be included in broilers diet to replace maize and groundnut cake without adverse effect on the performance of birds.

Keywords

• Broiler chickens
• camel rumen content
• performance
• haematology
• carcass