PHENOTYPIC AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NOILER BIRDS FED SOLID WASTE PRODUCTS OF SUGAR INDUSTRY (SWAPSI) BASED DIET REARED IN LAFIA, NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

The study was conducted to determine the phenotypic and biochemical characteristics of Noiler birds fed Solid Waste Products of Sugar Industry (SWAPSI) meal-based diet in a tropical environment. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) day-old Noiler chicks were purchased and used for the experiment. Data on body weight, weight gain, growth rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, blood chemistry, reproductive parameters, egg qualities, and body linear measurements were collected. Data were analysed using Oneway ANOVA of the SPSS statistical software version 21. The results showed that feed intake, growth rate, body weight, and body weight gain were all significantly impacted by SWAPSI. In comparison to other treatments, the body weight at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (282.1, 462.9, 592.0, 731.3, 805.6, 887.8 and 960.2) was consistently significantly (p≤0.05) greater when SWAPSI (T2) was not included. Compared to other treatments, the inclusion of SWAPSI T3 (150.9) showed a considerably larger body weight gain trend at week six. Similarly, SWAPSI had a significant impact on feed intake. Birds fed maize had lower FCR. Albumin, protein, and transferrin were not significantly affected by SWAPSI, but globulin and ferritin were (p≤0.05). Ferritin and globulin levels were greater in birds fed without any SWAPSI. All egg quality parameters were impacted by SWAPSI, except for the egg yolk colour and egg shape index (ESI), which had no discernible effect. Additionally, SWAPSI did not affect Noiler birds' ability to reproduce. The study concluded that by using cooked SWAPSI for maize in the production of Noiler, feed expenditures might be reduced.