Authors : A. A Odunsi , A .A Akingbade and G.O Farinu
Abstract: A feeding study was conducted to assess the value of abattoir wastes i.e. bovine blood and rumen digesta (Bovine blood-rumen digesta mixture (BBRDM)) on performance, nutrient retention, carcass yield and composition of broiler chickens. BBRDM was incorporated into broiler starter and finisher diets at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels in partial replacement of full fat soybean meal (FFSBM). Chemical analysis showed that BBRDM contains 46.1 crude protein (CP), 6.4 crude fibre (CF), 2.1 ether extract (EE), 23.4 ash and 22.0% nitrogen free extractives (NFE). Daily feed intake and daily weight gain decreased with increased BBRDM. Birds on diet containing 20% BBRDM were associated with the lowest and highest feed conversion and mortality, respectively. Dry matter and ether extract retention`s were significantly influenced (p<0.05) whereas the values for crude protein, ash and crude fibre were unaffected (p>0.05) by dietary treatments. Carcass yield and composition were unaffected by treatments, while liver and gizzard weights increased with increased BBRDM inclusion. Inclusion of 15 % level of BBRDM as replacement to FFSBM was found to be a safe level in broiler chickens` starter and finisher diets.
A. A Odunsi , A .A Akingbade and G.O Farinu , 2004. Effect of Bovine Blood-Rumen Digesta Mixture on Growth Performance, Nutrient Retention and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 3: 662-666.