Growth performance and serum biochemical responses of commercial broilers fed diets containing rubber seed and yeast

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of diets formulated with Rubber Seed Meal (RSM) (Heve abrasiliensisS and Saccharomyces yeast on the growth performance and serum biochemical profile of broilers. The main objective was to establish use of these two unconventional feed stuffs in broiler diet. Day-old broiler chicks were distributed randomly into three dietary treatments T0 (control), T, (RSM+yeast) and T2 (yeast). Birds were reared in an open-sided house with similar management condition up to 35 days. Data were collected for feed intake, body weight, body weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), dressing percentage and mortality rate. Blood was collected from 18 randomly selected birds (6 birds from each group and 2 birds from each replicate) at 12 days intervals and analyzed for serum biochemical parameters. Results indicated that the live weight was increased significantly (p<0.05) in T1 (RSM+yeast) group. A significantly (p<0.05) improved FCR and dressing percentage were also obtained in the same dietary treatment group. Serum glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels were found significantly (p<0.05) higher in T1 and T2 groups than the control. However, serum uric acid was significantly higher (p<0.05) in control. No significant (p>0.05) differences were observed between control and T2 (yeast) groups in the activity of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). It can be concluded that inclusion of rubber seed meal and yeast together in poultry diet would be advantageous for better growth performance of broilers with no detrimental effects.