PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF COMMERCIAL STARTER FEEDS AND EFFECTS OF THEIR CONSUMPTION ON SOME BLOOD PARAMETERS IN BROILER CHICKS

Abstract

The study evaluated the nutritional composition of four commercial feeds coded (RBF, ACF, TPF and JKF) and their effect on selected blood parameters in Cochin broiler chickens. A total of forty Cochin broiler chickens were divided into groups, A – D (n = 10) and known weight of the feeds (20 g weekly increment) was administered for a period of 14 days. Proximate analysis of the four starter feeds indicated a crude protein range of 18.67 – 19.98%; fiber moisture, ash and fat contents were in the range 1.9- 2.9%, 8.2- 8.2%, 1.5- 4.5% and 1.5- 2.8% respectively. With the exception of TPF, the protein content of the feeds obtained in this study did not correspond to the manufacturers claimed values. Average weekly weight gain of birds following consumption of the four feeds was not statistically different (P > 0.05). The mean serum urea concentration of birds fed with TPF (value here) was significantly higher than those fed with RBF, ACF and JKF (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference observed in the serum concentration of calcium for all the boiler chicks fed with the different feeds (P > 0.05). The serum activity of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in birds fed with JKF significantly increased compared to those fed with RBF, ACF and TPF (P< 0.05). The serum activity of Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in birds fed with RBF was significantly higher than that of broiler chicks fed with ACF and JKF (P< 0.05). The results indicated that the feeds met the requirement of the birds and had no adverse effect on the boiler chicks based on the blood parameters tested. Therefore, all four feeds are good as starter feeds and recommended for broiler production.