The Use of Raw Feather Meal in Feedlot fattening of Bunaji Yearlings
Abstract
This preliminary study was carried out to assess the effect of feeding diets containing varying levels of raw feather meal (RFM) on the growth performance and production economics of feedlot Bunaji yearlings. Twelve Bunaji yearlings, weighing averagely 56.50 kg were allotted to four dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in which raw feather meal were included at 0.00%, 2.50%, 5.00% and 7.50% respectively in a Completely Randomized Design. Other feed inputs used in formulating the diets included maize offal, palm kernel cake, cassava peel meal, melon seed husk meal, bone ash and common salt. The experimental diets were fed to the yearlings for 90 days at the rate of 3.0% live body weight while elephant grass and drinking water were offered ad libitum. Growth performance indices measured were feed intake, water intake, daily body weight change and feed conversion ratio. Economics of production parameters were cost per kilogram of concentrate, cost of concentrate intake, cost of forage consumed, total feed cost, cost per kilogram weight gain, purchased cost per yearling, total cost of production, income sales and profit. Results showed that, only the average daily concentrate intake and average daily forage intake differed significantly (P<0.05) while average daily total feed intake, average daily body weight gain, average daily water intake, feed conversion ratio and final body weight did not. Similarly, all parameters measured for economics of production among the treatments groups did not show any significant differences (P>0.05). It was concluded that, inclusion of raw feather meal (RFM) did not have any adverse effect on growth performance and economics of production of Bunaji yearlings. It was recommended that Bunaji cattle farmers could include RFM up to 7.50% in diets of feedlot Bunaji yearlings.
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