Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Emenalom, O.O., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; Orji, V.C., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria; Ogbonna, N.C., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
A 28-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of whole and cracked velvet bean seeds cooked in maize-cob ash solution on the performance of broiler chicks. Whole and cracked velvet bean seeds were separately soaked in water for 48 hours, cooked for one hour in maize-cob ash solution, sun-dried and then ground into meals. The meals were then incorporated into broiler starter diets at 25 and 30% dietary levels respectively and fed from 0 to 28 days of age. The control diet contained no velvet bean meal. At 25 and 30% dietary levels, cracked velvet bean meal supported broiler performance comparable to the control. Birds fed 30% whole velvet bean (WVB) meal had a significantly depressed growth; grew 84.22% of control but feed intake and feed to gain ratio were unaffected. Cooking in maize-cob ash solution improved the nutritive value of velvet bean seeds, allowing for 25 and 30% dietary inclusion levels for whole and cracked seeds respectively.