EVALUATION OF CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF AVOCADO (Persea americana) SEED MEAL

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of avocado seed meal (ASM) on the carcass characteristics and internal organ development of broiler chickens. Two hundred (200) Cobb broiler chicks were brooded for two weeks under proper management and vaccination protocols. Five experimental diets containing 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% ASM were formulated and fed to the birds for six weeks. The birds were randomly assigned to five treatments, each with four replicates of 10 birds, in a completely randomized design (CRD). Carcass characteristics and internal organ weights were measured according to standard procedures. The results showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in most carcass and internal organ parameters across dietary treatments, except for bled weight and head weight. The 6% ASM diet yielded the highest bled weight (1525.0 g), significantly outperforming the 2% (1122.0 g) and 4% (1244.5 g) diets. Similarly, head weight was higher at 6% (32.75 g) and 8% (34.00 g) ASM inclusion compared to 4% (16.75 g). Internal organ weights, including heart, lungs, spleen, and liver, were not significantly affected by ASM inclusion. This study shows that avocado seed meal can be included in broiler diets up to 8% level without adverse effects on carcass yield or internal organ health