INFLUENCE OF ROASTED FLUTED PUMPKIN POD HUSK WASTE ON GROWTH AND CARCASS YIELD OF BROILER CHICKENS IN HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

In an 8-week feeding trial, four broiler starter and finisher diets that contained 0, 10, 20 and 30% roasted fluted pumpkin pod husk waste meal were randomly assigned to a total of 144 broilers in a completely randomized design to assess their performance and carcass traits. The results showed that only the average liveweight and daily weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) highest in broilers fed 20% fluted pumpkin pod husk waste than those on other dietary treatments. Similarly, the carcass traits revealed that only the average liveweight, plucked and eviscerated weights, gizzard and lungs relative weights were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. It therefore infers that 20% level of inclusion of roasted pumpkin pod husk waste meal is adequate in broiler diets for enhanced growth performance and carcass yield.