Carcass Traits and Nutrient Digestibility of Broilers Fed Varying Levels of Synthetic Methionine

Background and Objective: It is a known fact that the growth and development of poultry birds is parallel to the level of nutrients digested and absorbed by the animal via their bloodstream. Therefore, the focus of this research work levels on the carcass characteristics and nutrient digestibility profile of finisher broiler birds fed replacement levels of synthetic methionine. Materials and Methods: A total of 150, four-week-old Ross 308 strain broiler birds were used to conduct the experimental work for twenty-one days period. The birds were distributed into five groups, each consisting of thirty (30) birds per treatment and ten (10) birds per replicate, programmed in the order of the completely randomized design (CRD). Thus, a total of five diets were used for the experiment, with naturally compounded materials (NCM) included at the rate of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%, respectively, to substitute for synthetic methionine. Feed and water were given ad-libitum throughout the research. The experiment lasted for 28 days (4 weeks); one week for brooding and three weeks for data collection. Blood samples were collected from one bird each per replicate via the wing web vein. All data were analyzed using ANOVA, and significant means were separated by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at a 5% level of significance. Results: Results recorded for carcass characteristics were significantly (p<0.05) influenced across the treatment groups for all the parameters studied (live-weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, thigh, breast muscle, back muscle, wings and drumstick) with superior values in treatments fortified with naturally compounded materials (NCM). Nutrient digestibility values also differed (p<0.05) across the treatments for dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract. Conclusion: From the results obtained in this research work, it can be concluded that the inclusion of NCM in the diets of the bird’s proof positive with superior values when compared to the control, with the inclusion level at 75% NCM been better off.