Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of coconut shell charcoal (CSC) on growth performance, carcass and organ weights of broiler chickens. A total of 150 unsexed broiler chicks of Ross 308 strains were used in the experiment randomly allotted to five treatments. Control had no inclusion of charcoal - 0% (T1), while 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% inclusions represented T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Data were obtained on liveweight, weight gain, daily weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio for both phases. At the end of the growth trial birds were slaughtered to assess their carcass and internal organ weights. The results showed that final live weight, weight gain, daily weight gain and Feed Conversion Ratio at the starter phase were better in birds fed 2% of CSC. Similarly, at the finisher stage, the initial weight of T2 (896.20g) was significantly different (P<0.05) from the control group (785.33g), but the final weight, total weight gain, daily weight gain and FCR were better in birds fed 6% CSC (2,810.00g, 1,985.00g, 70.89g and 1.94) which were significantly similar (P>0.05) to other groups except those fed 8% CSC. The growth performance results suggest that CSC was beneficial at 2% in the starter stage (28 days) but at the finisher phase 6%. Birds fed 4% CSC had better dressed weight (2,129.67g) than those on T5 (1,758.67g), although similar (P>0.05) to T1, T2 and T4. The present study appeared not to justify the dietary inclusion of CSC in broiler chicken diets above 6%.
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