Feeding trial experiment was carried out to evaluate the haematological and serum biochemical parameters of broiler chickens fed graded levels of Roselle Seed Cake (RSC) as replacement of a conventional protein source. Proximate composition was done to determine the nutrient content of RSC and experimental diets. The experiment contained graded levels of RSC replacing soya bean cake (SBC). One hundred and twenty (120) day old Ross broiler chickens were used in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The broiler chicks were assigned to five dietary treatments with three replicates each with 8 birds per replicate and 24 birds per treatment. Five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated for the broiler straight diet. Diet 1 served asthe control diet while diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 8%, 16%, 24% and 32% RSC respectively. Data were collected and analyzed using analysis of variance and the mean was separated using Duncan multiple range test. The findings from the study showed that there were no significant (P?0.05) differences in all the parameters measured for haematology across dietary treatment means except for the white blood cell. The blood biochemical composition showed no significant (P?0.05) differences in total protein, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and creatinine across dietary treatments. RSC as an alternative feedstuff can replace soya bean cake at 24% in the diet of broiler chickens for improved haematological and blood biochemical of broilers. Roselle seed cake can replace SBC at the broiler chicken straight ration at 75% (24% dietary RSC) inclusion for better performance.

This study was carried out to evaluate the haematological and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens fed graded levels of Roselle Seed Cake (RSC) diet as replacement for groundnut cake (GNC). Proximate composition of the test diet and experimental diets were conducted to determine their nutrient contents. Four diets were formulated for the broiler chickens. The Diet 1 served as the control diet while diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 8%, 16% and 24% with Roselle seed cake (RSC) diets respectively as replacement for groundnut cake (GNC). A total of 120, one day-old Ross broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments with four replicates and each treatment consisted of 30 birds in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Feed and water were provided for the birds ad libitum. The blood parameters measured are haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, heteropils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and band cell. The results from the parameters measured for blood quality showed no significant (P?0.05) differences for haemoglobin level, packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC), across the treatments. But the red blood cell (RBC), heterophils and lymphocytes had a significant difference across the dietary treatments and this implies that Roselle seed cake (RSC) inclusions in the diets of the birds had a positive effect on the oxygen carrying capacity, immunity level and antibodies producing capacity of the birds. The blood biochemical parameters measured are total protein, albumin, cholesterol, creatinine, triglycerides, HDL and LDL. The parameters measured showed no significant (P?0.05) differences in total protein (TP), creatinine, high density level (HDL) and low density level (LDL) across dietary treatment while albumin and cholesterol had significant differences (p>0.05) across the dietary treatments. RSC can replace GNC at 16% dietary inclusion levels.

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Considering the inherent attributes of processed African Yam bean meal (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), it's appropriate utilization for chicken diets may enhance performance of finisher broilers. The study was therefore carried out to determine the dietary substitution of soybean meal with processed African yam bean meal as protein source in the diets of finisher broilers. The Processed African yam bean meal was used to substitute soya bean meal at various levels to determine the best substitution that would give optimal performance in finisher broilers. The seeds of the African yam beans were soaked in water for 24 hours The soaked seeds were thereafter air dried for three days. The seeds were toasted for 35 minutes in a frying pan and milled using hammer mill. In the finisher feeding trial, the  substitutions were 20%, 40%, 60% and 80% processed African yam bean meal respectively. Each finisher diet was fed to a group of 30 broilers for 4 weeks using completely randomized design. Each treatment group was divided into 3 replicates of 10 broilers chicks each. The finisher broilerswere kept in pens in deep litter and given feed and water ad libitum. The parameters measured included initial body weight, final body weight, feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cost of production and carcass characteristics. The proximate composition of processed African yam bean meal showed that it contained 8.29% moisture, 91.71% Drymatter, 3.40% ash, 21.12% crude protein, 5% ether extract, 5.73% crude fiber and 56.4% nitrogen free extract. In the finisher feeding trial, the broiler group on 40% processed AYBM significantly (P<0.05) recorded higher body weight gain than the rest of the treatments possibly because of the proper substitution of soya bean meal with processed AYBM in their diets and it appeared that the finisher broilers could tolerate high levels of processed AYBM in their diets. The group on diet 2 (20% AYBM) and control diet recorded similar body weight gain (P>0.05) which were significantly (P<0.05) superior to the groups on diets 4 (60% AYBM) and 5(80% AYBM). The internal organs expressed as percent of the live weight were not affected by the treatments. Cost of production (cost/kg feed x feed conversion ratio) was lowest for diet 2 (N450.64) as against N480 for the control diet. The finisher broiler on diet 3 (40% AYBM) recorded the highest dressing out percentage of 78.78. The results of the trial have shown that processed African yam bean meal can be used to substitute soya bean mealin the diet up to 40% for optimum performance of the finisher broilers without affecting the body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and carcass  characteristics as indicated in this study.

The stiff competition between man and livestock for maize as energy feedstuff has resulted in the high cost of poultry products. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding acha-based diet varying dietary plant protein to broiler chickens on carcass characteristic and organ proportions. A total of 120, one day-old Abor acre broiler chicks were used for the study in a Complete Randomized Design. Four dietary plant proteins were included in the broiler chicken diet at 28% level with an acha grain as the main energy source. Diet 1 contains 28% groundnut cake, while diets 2, 3 and 4 contain 28% of full fat soyabean, soyabean cake and cashew nut meal, respectively. The birds were randomly allotted to the 4 treatment groups, with each group having 30 birds which was further subdivided into 3 replicates of 10 birds each. This study lasted for 56 days. At the end of the feeding trial, carcass evaluation was carried out. One bird per replicate was randomly selected, starved overnight and slaughtered by severing the jugular vein. The visceral were removed and weighed. The results showed that birds fed dietary soyabean cake (Diet 3) had the highest live weight gain (2155.00g), slaughtered weight (1855.00g), defeathered weight (1838.33g), dressed weight (1455.00g) and shank (112.00g). The organ proportions showed significant differences (p<0.05), though followed no definite trend. In conclusion, birds fed diet 3 gave the best carcass weight, and the organ proportions showed no negative effect as par the diets offered the birds. Thus, inclusion of 28%, soyabean meal in an acha-grain based diets proved to be superior over groundnut cake and cashew nut and it is therefore recommended.   La vive concurrence entre l'homme et le bétail pour le maïs comme aliment énergétique a entraîné le coût élevé des produits de volaille. Par conséquent, une étude a été menée pour évaluer l'effet de l'alimentation à base d'acha avec des protéines végétales alimentaires variées sur les poulets de chair ainsi que les caractéristiques de la carcasse et les proportions des organes. Un total de 120 poussins de chair de 'Abor acre' âgés d'un jour a été utilisés pour l'étude dans un plan randomisé complet. Quatre protéines végétales diététiques ont été incluses dans le régime des poulets de chair à un taux de 28%, le grain d'acha étant la principale source d'énergie. Le régime 1 contient 28% de farine d'arachide, tandis que les régimes 2, 3 et 4 contiennent 28% de farine de soja, de gâteau de soja et de noix de cajou, respectivement. Les oiseaux ont été répartis au hasard dans les 4 groupes de traitement, chaque groupe comptant 30 oiseaux qui ont ensuite été subdivisés en 3 répétitions de 10 oiseaux chacun. Cette étude a duré 56 jours. À la fin de test d'alimentation, une évaluation de la carcasse a été effectuée. Un oiseau par réplique a été sélectionné au hasard, affamé pendant la nuit et abattu en sectionnant la veine jugulaire. Les viscéraux ont été prélevés et pesés. Les résultats ont montré que les oiseaux nourris avec du gâteau de soja diététique (régime 3) avaient le gain de poids vif (2155,00 g), le poids abattu (1855,00 g), le poids sans plumes (1838,33 g), le poids habillé (1455,00 g) et le jarret (112,00 g). Les proportions d'organes ont montré des différences significatives (p <0,05), mais n'ont suivi aucune tendance définie. En conclusion, les oiseaux nourris avec le régime 3 ont donné le meilleur poids de carcasse, et les proportions d'organes n'ont montré aucun effet négatif par rapport aux régimes offerts aux oiseaux. Ainsi, l'inclusion de 28% de gâteau de soja dans un régime à base de céréalesacha s'est avérée supérieure aux gâteau d'arachide et de noix de cajou et elle est donc recommandée.