Acacia (Samanea Saman (JACK) MERR) Pods as Feeds for Broilers

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the performance of broilers fed with 0% to 35% Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pod meal in the formulated rations in terms of gain in weight, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, dressing percentage, per cent liver weight and profit above feed cost. Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pods were dried for 3-5 days, ground then mixed with the other feed ingredients to produce isocaloric and isonitrogenous rations. Commercial mash served as the control. Based from the results of the study, Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pod meal at 0% to 35% of the formulated rations produced comparable gain in weight, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, dressing percentage, liver weight and profit above feed cost of birds. Results also revealed that the performance of birds fed with the formulated rations were comparable to the performance of birds fed with commercial ration. Samanea saman (JACK) MERR pod meal could therefore substitute corn in broiler rations.