IMPACT OF FERMENTED MAIZE OFFAL WITH MOLASSES ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS IN BROILER CHICKENS

The study aimed to assess the impact of diets containing fermented maize offal with molasses as a replacement for maize on broiler chickens' growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and economic benefits. A total of 150 day-old COBB 500 broiler chicks were used in a randomized design, with five dietary groups: 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% fermented maize offal for both the starter and finisher phases. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found in cumulative feed intake, weight gain, and final weights in the starter phase, but the feed conversion ratio was not significantly affected. The highest cumulative feed intake was in T3 (1070.37g/bird) and T1 (1043.33g/bird), with the final weights being significantly greater in T3 (1053.33g), T1 (953.33g), and T2 (945g). During the finisher phase, cumulative feed intake, weight gain, and final weight were significantly influenced by diet. T1 had the highest feed intake, while T5 had the lowest. T3 recorded the highest weight gain (1241.67g/bird) and final weight (1936.67g/bird). The nutrient digestibility coefficients showed that dry matter (DM) and crude fibre were significantly affected by the diets (p<0.05), while crude protein, ether extract, ash, and nitrogen-free extract showed no significant difference. T1 recorded the highest DM digestibility (99.85%) and crude fibre digestibility (99.86%). Economically, the feed cost and cost per kg gain decreased with higher replacement levels of fermented maize offal. The study concluded that diet 3 (50% fermented maize offal with molasses) resulted in the best performance, nutrient digestibility, and economic benefits.