GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS FED DIETS WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF JACKFRUIT (ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS LAM.) SEED MEAL

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the effect of Jackfruit (ArtocarpusheterophyllusLam.) seed meal (JSM) on growth performance of broiler. The effect of treatments were investigated in a 240 Cobb broilers grouped into four dietary treatments (control, 5% JSM, 10% JSM, and 15% JSM diets) at 10 birds per 6 replicates following Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The type of starter ration treatment was found to have a significant effect on the total weight gained by the broilers. The same trend is also seen in the average daily gain wherein the type of starter ration significantly affected the parameter at p<.05 level. At p<.05 level, the finisher ration treatment was found to significantly affect both the total weight gained (g) (p=0.027) and average daily gain (g) (p=0.003). On the other hand, jackfruit seed meal incorporated in the feed ration was found to have a significant effect on the total feed consumed (g) as well as feed conversion ratio on the growing and finishing stages. However, for the FCR, the control and 15% JSM had comparable means, which were lower than 5% and 10% JSM. It is concluded that Jackfruit seeds along with other co-products can be used as an alternative feed. The significantly lower values in FCR and other productive parameters obtained by the birds fed diets with jackfruit seed meal could be attributed to two factors, the presence of anti-nutritional factors and conspicuous low dry matter composition of the seed meal used in starter and finisher treatment diets.