Gut Morphometric Characteristic and Ecological Response of Broiler Starter Fed Varied Levels of Protein

M.D. Shittu, D.O. Adejumo, E.O. Ewuola, O. Alaba, O.J. Alagbe and O.O. Ojebiyi

Background and Objective: Meeting nutrient requirement of broiler chicks to supply animal protein requirement cannot be overemphasized. Therefore research was designed to determine gut morphometric and ecological response of broiler starter fed varied levels of protein. Materials and Methods: A total of 144 days-old-broiler chicks were used for the study. Broiler standard starter mash with varied protein percentages of 20, 23 and 26%, respectively for treatments 1, 2 and 3 were used. Data were analyzed using ANOVA at α_0.05. Results: Except feed conversion ratio (FCR) other parameters measured were significantly different, 26% CP had most efficient FCR (2.85). Average feed intake, daily feed intake, cost per kg feed and cost per kg weight gain increase with increase in the levels of protein. Weight of gut sections of broiler differ significantly (p<0.05) across treatments except oesophagus, proventriculus, duodenum and large intestine. Coliform forming unit of total aerobic microbes (CFU g^–1) was higher than other identified microbes in the GIT of broiler chicks. Caecum total aerobic plate count and total anaerobic plate count were higher compare to other sections. Enterobacter aerogenes was found in all regions of broiler examined irrespective of dietary protein levels. Salmonella specie also present across the treatments and present in every section except intestinal of broilers fed 26% CP. Lactobacillus species was found common in caecum and intestine of broilers. Conclusion: There is need for broiler farmers to embark on phase feeding to allow fast growing of broilers and sound biosecurity to suppress the growth of the pathogenic microbes.

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