Growth and gross margin of broiler starter chicks fed graded levels of watermelon peel meal as a substitute for wheat offal

Rabiu Lailaba Ibrahim 1, *, Haruna Argungu Musa 1, Aminu Aliyu 1 and Bello Suleiman 2

1 Department of Agricultural Education, Adamu Augie College of Education, P.M.B 1012 Argungu, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Animal Science, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 1144 Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2024, 11(01), 1172–1177.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2024.11.1.0173
Publication history: 
Received on 21 December 2023; revised on 29 January 2024; accepted on 01 February 2024
 
Abstract: 
The performance of broiler chicks fed graded levels of watermelon peel meals as a substitute for wheat offal was investigated using ninety-six 1-day old Amo broiler chicks. They were allotted to four dietary treatments with each having three replicates and 8 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment diets contained 0.0, 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75% dried watermelon and coded as DWMP0.0, DWMP1.25, DWMP2.5 and DWMP3.75. Ninety-six (96) two-weeks old chicks were randomly assigned into four (4) dietary treatments, each having twenty-four (24) birds, and replicated three (3) times in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experimental diets contained 0.0, 1.25, 2.5 and 3.75% dried watermelon peels meal and coded as DWMP0.0, DWMP1.25, DWMP2.5 and DWMP3.75. Results obtained shows no significance (P>0.05) difference in all the growth and economic parameters evaluated. Feed intake and weight gain which are indicators of growth were better in birds fed diets containing 2.5 and 3.75% watermelon peels. Gross margin analysis reveals that it is more economical to feed starter broilers with up to 3.75% DWMP. In conclusion, starter broiler chicks can be conveniently fed DWMP up to 3.75% for better growth and cost effective broiler production.
 
Keywords: 
Watermelon; Growth; Gross margin; Broiler
 
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