IMPACT OF LIFE-ENZYME (ZYMOMONAS MOBILIS DEGRADED CORN COBS) ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The fibrous nature of ground corn cobs limits their utilization in poultry production. Zymomonas mobilis derivable from fresh palm sap is proposed to ferment corn cobs to improve their nutritive values. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the impact of ground corn cobs inoculated with Zymomonas mobilis (CCZ) on growth response and economic analysis of broiler chickens. Five diets containing degraded and undegraded corn cobs were formulated to replace wheat offal at 0, 50 and 100% levels on weight for weight basis. A total of three hundred and seventy-five, day-old unsexed Marshall broiler chickens were randomly allotted to the five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data were collected on growth performance and production cost. Data collected was subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA).The differences between the treatments means was separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The biodegradation of corn cobs resulted in improved (P<0.05) nutrient composition, crude protein increased by 63.90% while the crude fibre decreased by 137.89%. The broiler chickens fed 100% CCZ had the lowest (P<0.05) values for feed conversion ratio (FCR) and highest (P<0.05) values of rate of return on investment, economic efficiency and relative cost-benefit. The study concluded that wheat offal could be replaced with 100% CCZ in the ration of broiler chickens with positive economic returns