Response of Broiler Chickens to Diets Containing Varying Levels of Rumen Filtrate Fermented Wheat Offal

Halima Abdulazeez, Shuaibu Adamu, Ibrahim Kwari, Haruna Duwa, Jummai Adamu and Hauwa Allamin

Background and Objective: Wheat offal is one of the abundant AIBs whose application is limited in monogastric animals due to poor nutritional value. Fermentation improves the nutritional value of feedstuff. This experiment was conducted to evaluate rumen filtrate fermented wheat offal as (RUFFWO) a feed ingredient in the diet of broiler chickens. Materials and Methods: Six diets were formulated to meet the nutritional requirement of broiler chickens at the starter and finisher stages using RUFFWO at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% of the diets. As 180 days old broiler chicks were randomly weighed and allotted to six treatment groups of 30 birds each, respectively. Each treatment was divided into three replicates of 10 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data on the feed intake, body weight gain feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and cost-benefit were generated and analyzed. Results: The result of the experiment revealed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in feed intake, body weight gain and final weight of broiler chickens with an increase in dietary RUFFWO at the starter phase. Feed conversion ratio and mortality were significantly lower in the RUFFWO group compared to the control at the finisher phase. Feed cost and cost/kg gain were higher in the RUFFWO group at the starter phase. No significant effect was found at the finisher phase. Conclusion: It was concluded from this study that broiler chickens can tolerate up to 25% fermented wheat offal without detrimental effects on performance. As 20% inclusion of RUFFWO is recommended for broiler chickens at the finisher stage.

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