title: Effect of dietary inclusion of fermented pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) meal on growth, apparent nutrient digestibility and blood parameters of cockerel chicks.
abstract: The effect of dietary inclusion of fermented pigeon pea meal (FPPM) on growth response, apparent nutrient digestibility, haematological indices and serum biochemistry of cockerel chicks was studied using 240-day-old cockerel chicks allotted to four dietary treatments consisting of 60 birds each. Four experimental diets were formulated to include FPPM at 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg inclusion levels, respectively. Each of the diets was fed to 60 birds replicated six times with ten birds per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 56 days. Results indicated that final live weight (linear (L). quadratic (Q): P < 0.05), weight gain (L.Q: P < 0.01), feed intake (Q.: P < 0.05) and coefficient of total tract apparent crude protein digestibility (P < 0.05) were reduced with increasing dietary inclusion of FPPM. Similar improved feed-to-gain ratios were obtained for chicks fed the control and those fed a diet containing 50 g/kg FPPM. Coefficient of total tract apparent ether extract and ash digestibility were not affected (P > 0.05) by the inclusion of FPPM. Haemoglobin and serum uric acid concentrations were also reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary inclusion of FPPM. Chicks fed with 150 g/kg FPPM had the least (P < 0.05) packed cell volume, red blood cell and neutrophil count. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of up to 50 g/kg FPPM could be used in the ration for cockerel chicks without imposing any threat on the growth response, nutrient digestibility and blood constituents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, University of Agriculture, PMB 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria. drosoann@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abimbola Oladele
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Oso
authors.forename: Olusegun Mark Obawale
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Idowu
authors.forename: Adebayo Vincent
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Jegede
authors.forename: Wasiu A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Olayemi
authors.forename: Olubukola A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Lala
authors.forename: Adeyemi Mustapha
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bamgbose
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D036561:Cajanus / Q000378:metabolism*; D002645:Chickens / Q000097:blood / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis*; D005285:Fermentation; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation