ody Linear Measurements and Bone Morphometric Parameters of Broiler Chickens Fed Wood Ash-Based Diets

Abstract

he aim of this study was to determine the bone morphometric parameters and body linear measurements of broiler chickens fed different wood ash-based diets. A total of 180 day-old broilers chicks were used and randomly divided into four experimental groups of three replicates with 15 chicks each in a completely randomized design. Ashes were prepared from neem, shea butter and locust bean woods. Dietary treatments were limestone and bone meal (control, NOA), neem (NWA), shea butter (SWA) and locust bean (LWA). Experimental diets used were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous. At two weeks interval data on body, wing, shank, head, tarsal and back lengths were taken. While at 10 weeks, two birds were picked at random from each replicate, slaughtered and used for morphometric measurements. All data were subjected to one way analysis of variance. Where differences occurred they were separated using Duncan Multiply Range test. Of all the parameters measured only body length was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by wood ash based diets. It could be concluded that any of neem, shea butter and locust bean wood ashes could be used to replace bone meal and limestone in the diets of broiler chicken. However, for improved performance, neem wood is recommended as it gives the longest body