EFFECT OF FEEDING GRADED LEVELS OF BAOBAB (ADANSONIA DIGITATA) PULP-SEED MEAL ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed graded levels of baobab ( Adansonia digitata ) Pulp-seed meal. The study was carried during the starter and finisher phases of growth ,with the during each phase  lasting for four weeks. Three hundred Anak broiler chicks were allotted to five treatments replicated thrice with 20 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The inclusion levels of the test material in the diets were 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40% baobab pulp-seed meal for treatment 1 (Control), 2, 3, 4 and 5.  Data collected were subjected to analysis of Variance and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Dunnet Test. The results of experiment during the starter phase showed significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake of 46.03g in birds fed 40% BPSM. Higher (P<0.05) average daily weight gain (24.89g and 25.01g)  were recorded in birds fed 10% and 20% BPSM and birds fed  10% and 20% BPSM were more efficient in feed utilization than other groups. During the finisher phase, significantly (P<0.05) higher average daily feed intake of 144.95g was recorded in birds fed 40% BPSM while significantly (P<0.05) higher daily weight gain of 52.25g was recorded in birds fed 20% BSPM. Birds fed the test diet were more efficient in feed utilization compared to 0% BPSM, 30% and 40% BPSM. Higher feed cost and mortality were recorded in birds fed 0% BPSM in both phases. Significantly (P<0.05) higher apparent nutrients digestibility were recorded in birds fed test diets.  The best (P<0.05) carcass characteristics were recorded among birds fed 20% BSPM. The kidney showed congestion and inter-tubular space in 3,2, 1, 2 and 1 out of 6 kidney samples from birds fed 0% BPSM, 10% BPSM, 20% BPSM, 30% BPSM and 40% BPSM respectively. The result of this study showed that BPSM is a suitable alternative feed ingredient for broiler chickens and that the optimum level of inclusion is 20%BSPM