Abstract
The interaction effect between treatment and level of inclusion of processed-fermented Jatropha curcas (L) kernel meals (JKM) on the performance of broiler chicks was investigated. Three hundred 1-day old broiler chicks were reared using a 3 x 4 factorial model in a completely randomized design with 10 treatment groups having 3 replicates of 10 birds in each group in a 21-day feeding trial. Jatropha curcas kernels were subjected to three different processing methods, namely: Raw Defatted Fermented Meal (RDFM), Cooked Defatted Fermented Meal (CDFM) and Lye treated Defatted Fermented Meal (LDFM). Each meal was included at varying inclusion levels of 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5%. Diet 1 contained 0% JKM and served as the control diet, while diets 2, 3, 4, contained 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% RDFM, diets 5, 6, and 7 contained 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% CDFM and diets 8, 9, 10 contained 2.5%, 5.0% and 7.5% LDFM. The results indicated an improvement in the growth performance of broiler chicks fed CDFM and LDFM up to 2.5 and 5% inclusion level respectively over those fed RDFM, although, with a depressed feed intake and daily gain compared with those on the control diet. Haematological parameters significantly (p<0.05) influenced were eosinophyll, basophyll and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration especially for birds fed RDFM and LDFM, at varying inclusion levels. Birds fed CDFM had significantly different (p<0.05) globulin, creatinine, Aspartate aminotransferase and Acid phosphatase at varying inclusion levels. The liver reduced in size with increasing inclusion level, although only those fed CDFM were affected (p<0.05), meanwhile at 7.5% inclusion level, there were significant differences within treatments, for lungs at 2.5% and at 7.5% for gizzard, pancrease and proventriculus. The result suggested that broiler chicks could tolerate CDFM and LDFM (up to 2.5% and 5.0% inclusion respectively). Therefore, additional research will be required to investigate the response of broilers to JKM at the finisher phase.
