EFFECTS OF FEEDING RATIONS WITH VARYING LEVELS OF ROSELLE (HIBISCUS SABDRIFFA L) SEEDPOWDER ON BROILER CHICKS PERFORMANCE, CARCASS AND SOME INTERNAL ORGANS CHARACTERISTICS

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding broiler chicks with rations containing four different levels of Roselle seed powder (0, 5, 10 and 15%) as a source of protein on their performance, of the chicks, carcass and some internal organs characteristics. Sixty chicks were randomly distributed into four groups each with five birds of tree replicates penned with water and feed provided continuously. The rations were prepared to meet chickens' requirements, according to NRC, (1994) with equal energy and protein contents. Chicks were weighed and feed intake was determined weekly. The birds and consumed feed were weighed weekly together with weight gain and feed conversion ratio were calculated from that data. By the end of the fifth week, one chick was randomly selected from each replicate (three chickens per treatment), slaughtered and the length of intestine was measured. The weight of the liver, the weight of abdominal fat, the heart, the thigh, the neck, back, chest and wings was obtained. The experimental data was analyzed using analysis of variance and differences among treatment means were detected using least significant difference test (LSD). The results showed no significant differences (P>0.05) in general performance where the body weight gain was found being 1724, 1933, 1837 and 1768.7 for the group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. As the results showed no significant differences (P >0.05) that could be attributed to addition of the Hibiscussabdariffa seed powder for dressing percentage where the groups recorded 0.73, 0.70, 0.71 and 0.72% for group I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Feed conversion ratio was1.55، 1.59 ، 1.42،1.61 for I, II, III, and IV respectively. The final weights were 1785, 1893.3, 1898.3 and 1830 g / chick for the group IV, III, II, I respectively. The commercial cuts were also similar for the four groups as well as the internal organs. It was concluded that the replacement of groundnut seed cake with Roselle seed powder did not affect the performance of the chick, carcass characteristics and internal parts hence it could be used to reduce the cost feeding. The study recommended replacement of groundnut seed cake with higher levels of Roselle seed powder and study effects of replacement on chicks performance.