Effects of Varying Levels of Toasted Cassia Seeds (Cassia Obtistufolia L.) As Crude Protein Replacement on the Carcass Characteristics of Noiler Chickens

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of twenty (20) minutes toasted cassia seed meal as replacement for crude protein on the carcass characteristics of noiler chickens. The cassia seeds were subjected to two processing methods of twenty four (24) hours soaking and  twenty (20) minutes toasting period. The raw sample and processed samples were analysed for their anti - nutrient and proximate compositions. Results indicated significant (P < 0.05) differences observed in the phytate, oxalate, tannin and saponin content, with the toasted sample having the least values of phytate (18.95 mg/100g), tannin (173.03mg/100g) and saponin (87.90mg/100g). These trend were also observed with results of the proximate analysis, showing the twenty (20) minutes toasted sample having the highest values for the crude protein (11.26 %), crude fiber (7.11 %), ash (1.97 %) and ether extract (4.35 %). The toasted cassia seed sample was then used to formulate six (6) experimental diets for the noiler chickens, with varying inclusion levels of (0.00, 5.00, 10.00, 15.00, 20.00 and 25.00) % both at 0 to 4^th and 5^th to 8^th weeks of age representing the starter and finisher phases respectively. Results for the carcass characteristics showed significant (P < 0.05) differences in all the parameters analysed; the 25.00 % inclusion level had the highest carcass weight of (325.46g), while the 5.00 % inclusion level had the highest dressing percent value of (71.37%), for the cut parts, the 5.00 % inclusion level had the highest values of (4.96 %) for the neck, (5.64 %) for the thigh, (3.63 %) for the wing, (4.63 %) for the back, (2.19 %) for the leg, and (10.85 %) for the drum stick. Similar trend were also observed with the organ parts, for the heart (1.07 %), liver (1.85 %), gizzard full (3.31 %), gizzard empty (2.29%), and the intestine weight full (3.91 %). In conclusion, it is recommended that the inclusion of twenty (20.00) minutes toasted cassia seeds in the feed of noiler chickens at higher levels of 10.00 % and above, does not support the proper development of cut parts and internal organs of the birds.