Performance and Blood Profile of Broiler Chickens Fed Soybean Hull-Based Diets

• A.A. Akintomide

  Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

  Author

The high cost of conventional feed ingredients constitutes a significant constraint to sustainable poultry production, particularly in developing regions. This study evaluated the effect of replacing wheat offal with graded levels of soybean hull on the growth performance and haematological profile of broiler chickens. A total of 150 four-week-old Arbor Acre broilers were randomly allocated to five dietary treatment: diet A (0% replacement), diet B (25%), diet C (50%), diet D (75%), and diet E (100%) in a Completely randomized design, with three replicates of 10 birds each. Growth performance parameters, including feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), along with blood indices, were assessed over a 28-day feeding trial. Results showed that the soybean hull used contained 10.96% crude protein and 22.55% crude fibre. Dietary treatments had significant effects (P<0.05) on performance and haematological parameters. Birds on diet D (75% replacement) recorded the highest final weight (3690.00 g/bird), weight gain (2278.33 g/bird), and lower FCR (3.03). Haematological values were also favourable at higher inclusion levels: diet D had the highest packed cell volume (29.00%) and haemoglobin concentration (9.63 g/100ml), while diets D and E (100% replacement) showed the highest red blood cell counts (2.88 ×106/mm3). All values remained within normal physiological ranges. In conclusion, soybean hull is a viable, cost-effective alternative to wheat offal in broiler diets, with 75% replacement yielding optimal growth and haematological performance without adverse effects.

1. A.A. Akintomide, Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

   Department of Animal Production and Health, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

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