Abstract
A study was conducted to examine the nutritional and economic effects of using pellet diets at various pellet diameters of 2, 4 and 6 mm pellet for broiler finisher birds in an experiment using Arbor Acre broilers chickens. Two hundred and forty Arbor Acre birds at the finisher phase (28-56 days) of broiler production were used in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment using completely randomized design. Diets in this study had same quantities of ingredients with identical nutrients composition. The study was conducted under similar environmental conditions and management practices. Data on growth performance, nitrogen utilization, carcass and visceral organs characteristics, haematology and serum biochemistry were collected and evaluated. Economic analyses were carried out. Birds on 4 mm pellet diameter diet had the highest body weight gain of 59.11±0.54 g/bird/day and the lowest feed conversion ratio (FCR) of 2.11±0.03. Measured carcass and visceral organs were higher (P<0.05) for birds on the pellet diets. Most heamatogical parameters were higher for birds on the pellet diets. Birds on balanced 4 mm pellet diets had better feed intake, increased growth rate and better feed efficiency when fed with broiler finisher birds. The 4 mm pellet diets also enhanced most carcass and organs characteristics. Heamatological and blood biochemistry indices of experimental birds on 4 mm pellet diets were not adversely affected and were better in some cases than values obtained from existing literature. There was an overall better net return per bird for birds on 4 mm pellet diameter diets in broiler finisher diets.
Key words: Nutritional benefit, cost and benefit analyses, feed pelleting.
