Carcass Evaluation in “Broiler” Feed Diets Containing Graded Levels of Locust Beans (Parkia biglobosa) Seed Meal in North Western Zone of Sokoto, Nigeria

The study was carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) seed at graded levels on the carcass characteristics of “broilers”. Two hundred and forty broilers were used which were randomly allotted to four treatment groups, each replicated four times in a completely randomized design. The diets contained 0% level of LBSM which served as experimental control, while other three diets contained 5, 10, and 15% levels of LBSM. The experiment was divided into two phases (starter and finisher) each of which lasted for 28 days. Carcass weight and dressing percentage were not significantly influenced (P>0.05) by the experimental diet but live weight was significantly influenced (P<0.05) by LBSM. Only the back weight was significantly affected (P<0.05) by the test diet among the prime cuts. Significant difference (P<0.05) were also observed in organs weight except the abdominal fat. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine significant difference between treatment groups in term of performance parameters. Where significant difference existed, Duncan’s multiple range test was used to separate the means. Data analysis was carried out using (SPSS, 2013version 20.0). It is concluded that LBSM is safe for feeding broilers and can be included in the diet at starter and finisher phase at (5-15% - 10 and 15%) inclusion levels respectively without any deleterious effect on the growth performance.