Effects of Replacing Maize with Boiled Mango (Mangifera indica) Seed Kernel on Feed Intake, Body Weight Gain and Feed Conversion Ratio of Cobb 500 Broiler Chicken

This study was conducted to evaluate effects of replacing maize with Boiled Mango Seed Kernel (BMSK) on feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of Cobb 500 broiler chicken. A total of 180 unsexed day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly distributed to four dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 15 birds per replicate. The experimental diets were formulated to contain 0% BMSK+100% maize (T1), 40% BMSK+60% maize (T2), 60% BMSK+40% maize (T3) and 80% BMSK +20% maize (T4) for 48 experimental days. Feed intake, body weight change, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) and mortality data were recorded. Feed offered and refused was determined daily, while body weight data was collected on weekly bases. The overall mean of daily Dry Matter Intake (DMI) were 73.8, 74.4, 64.1 and 60.9 g for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The DMI was the highest (P<0.001) in T1 and T2 as compared to T3 and T4 in the entire experimental period. The overall mean of daily body weight gain was 33.9, 34.7, 27.9, and 24.6 g for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. Birds fed T1 and T2 diets were the highest (P<0.05) in body weight gain, but T4 had the lowest body weight gain performance. The overall mean of FCR were 2.18, 2.15, 2.29 and 2.48 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively in the entire experimental period. The economic efficiency of treatment diets was 2.42, 2.76, 2.65 and 2.54 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. In conclusion, BMSK can be used as energy source for replacing maize up to 40% as confirmed and indicated in T2 both in starter and finisher broiler diets without adverse effects on broilers performance.