ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF PROBIOTICS AND HIGH FIBRE DIET IN BROILER STARTER CHICKS’ PRODUCTION

Abstract

Effects of probiotics and high fibre diet on economics of production of broilers chickens was examined using a total number of one hundred and eighty (180) day old Cobb 500 breed of broilers. The birds were randomly assigned to six (6) dietary treatments replicated three (3) times. Each replicate comprised ten (10) birds. The experiment was a 2x3 factorial laid in a completely randomized design, which comprised 2 levels (0 and 2mls) of essential microbes and 3 levels (2.5, 5and7.5%) of fibre at starter phase. Birds were given the same quantity of feed measured in grams, for the treatment’s combination T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6, respectively. The results for the main and interaction effects of probiotics and fibre on economic of production of broiler starter chicks showed significant (P<0.05) increase in the total cost of production (634.69 vs. 574.71N/bird). Birds fed on 2ml effective microorganisms activated solution (EMAS) diet had the highest cost of production than the 0ml based birds. Effect of fibre on economics also indicated significant (P<0.05) increase in the TCP (601.79, 610.68 and 603.83N/bird). Birds on 5% fibre (610.68N/bird) had higher total cost of production than 2.5 and 7.5% fibre. Similarly, the interactive effect indicated significant (P<0.05) increase in the TCP at T5 (642.73N/bird) followed by control birds T1 (640.79N/bird) compared with other treatment diets.