Minimizing Cost of Production- Impact Of Graded Levels Of Non- Coventional Ingredients On Growth Performance Of Layers (Breadfruit Waste/Chaff)

Abstract

This study was conducted for 12 weeks (8-20 weeks) to evaluate the effect of graded levels of dried breadfruit wastes (chaff) on the growth performance of layers, using eight weeks (8) old pullets. One hundred and fifty (150) growing pullets were allotted to five dietary treatment (T1,T2, T3, T4 and T5). The dietary treatment contained, 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels of breadfruit waste respectively with thirty birds (30) per treatment at ten birds in three replicates under the randomized complete  experimental design. Growth parameters such as body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency and feed cost were monitored on weekly basis from 9th-19th weeks of age of the birds. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance. Results from grower's phase showed significant differences (p<0.05) among treatment groups for all the performance parameters measured except mortality. The study revealed that the inclusion of breadfruit wastes in the diets of layers does not have adverse effect on the growth of layers.