Effects of Feeding Graded Levels of Sawdust Obtained from Daniellia ogea Tree on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

An experiment was conducted with 72 day old Anak broiler chicks to investigate the effects of Sawdust (SD) obtained from Daniellia ogea (Ogea) on their performance, carcass characteristics and gut dimensions. Six experimental diets were formulated designated diet A (0% SD-control) diet B (2% SD), diet C (4% SD) diet D (6% SD) diet E (8% SD) and diet F (10% SD). The diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous (22% crude protein) and isoenergetic (2.60 kcal g 1 M.E.). Each dietary treatment was replicated 3-times with 4 birds per replicate. The study lasted for 5 weeks. Daily feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (p< 0.05) influenced by the experimental diets. Experimental birds fed diets B, C, D, E and F consumed more feed than the group on diet A, the control (96.57, 118.29, 149.14, 203.71, 194.00, 63.14 g day 1, respectively). This resulted in the values of the feed conversion ratio of these birds being inferior (p< 0.05) to the control. Birds on diets D and E had the highest (p>0.05) daily weight gain of 27.51 and 28.09 g, respectively. Birds fed diet F recorded the least daily weight gain of 20.57 g. The dressing percentage, carcass parts (Neck, Wings, Drumstick, Breast, Back, Thigh) and gut weights were significantly (p< 0.05) different.