Biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk: Effect on growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens

A 49 day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk meal (BCPHM) on the growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. Three experimental diets were formulated at both starter and finisher phases in which BCPHM was added as an active feed ingredient at 0, 10, 20% and designated as diets 1, 2 and 3 respectively. One hundred and fifty day old Marshal broiler chicks weighing 39±2.5g/bird were allotted to 3 dietary treatments (10birds/replicate, 50birds/treatment) in a completely randomized design. The Average daily weight gain (ADWG), total weight gain (TWG) and final body weight (FBW) of broiler chicks fed diets containing 10% BCPHM was significantly (p˂0.05) higher than that of control and diet containing 20% BCPHM at starter phase. At finisher phase, the values of ADWG, TWG and FBW were at par with that of control. Feed Intake was seen to increase as BCPHM increased in the diet at finisher phase. Carcass traits, relative internal organ weight, haemato-biochemcal indices of broiler chickens were similar across dietary treatment. Superoxide dimutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) of birds fed control diet were significantly (p˂0.05) higher than those of birds fed BCPHM based diets. Ten percent dietary inclusion of BCPHM appears optimal in broiler diet since beyond this level growth performance declined.