THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED VARYING LEVELS OF SOAKED AND BOILED SORREL (Hisbiscus sabdariffa) SEED MEAL REPLACING SOYABEAN MEAL

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed varying levels of soaked and boiled sorrel (Hisbiscus sabdariffa) seed meal as a replacement for soyabean which is the major protein source. One hundred and eighty unsexed Anak 2000 broiler chicks were assigned to five (5) treatment diets in which soaked and boiled sorrel seed meal replaced soyabean meal at 0% (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100% during both the starter and finisher phases. The chicks were allocated in groups of thirty six (36) birds per treatment with three replications of twelve (12) birds per replicate in a completely randomize design. Although final body weight and feed intake declined as from 50% level of replacement of soyabean meal with soaked and boiled sorrel seed meal in the broiler chickens diets, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), yield of carcass, breast muscles, thighs and drumsticks were all not affected by up to 100% level of replacement. The cost per Kg gain was also not affected while the cost per kg feed gradually reduced with increasing levels of sorrel seed meal in the diets. Soyabean meal can therefore be completely replaced with soaked and boiled Sorrel seed meal without compromising biological performance and improving economics of broiler production.