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Effect of processed castor oil bean (Ricinus communis L.) meal and DL-methionine on carcass and organ characteristics of broiler finisher
A.O. Ani* and A.U. Okorie
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
 
Abstract

The effects of graded levels of processed castor oil bean (Ricinus communis L) meal (CBM) and DL-methionine on carcass and organ weights of broiler finishers were investigated for 4 weeks. One hundred and eighty six week old boiler birds (Anak strain) were randomly divided into 12 groups of 15 birds each and assigned to 12 isocaloric (2.90 Mcal/kg ME) and isonitrogenous (21.00% CP) diets in a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement involving four CBM levels (0, 10, 15 and 20%)  and three DL-methionine levels (0, 0.25 and 0.5%). Each treatment was replicated 3 times with 5 birds per replicate. At the 10th week of the experiment, 3 birds per treatment (one per replicate) were randomly selected, weighed and slaughtered for carcass and organ evaluation. Results showed that body weight, carcass yield, organ and relative organ weights reduced significantly (P<0.05) as the level of CBM in the diets increased beyond 15%. However, the inclusion of DL- methionine in the CBM-containing diets reversed the adverse effects observed at the 15 and 20% CBM inclusion levels. It was concluded that 15% processed CBM supplemented with DL-methionine can be included in broiler finisher diet without adverse effects on carcass and organ weights.

Keywords: Castor bean meal; DL-methionine; broiler finishers; carcass weight; organ weights
 
To cite this article: Ani AO and AU Okorie, 2013. Effect of processed castor oil bean (Ricinus communis L) meal and DL-methionine on carcass and organ characteristics of broiler finisher. Res. Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 2(1), 13-19.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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