Evaluation of the proximate composition of four commercial broiler starter diets sold within Kaduna metropolis: a comparative laboratory based study

Abstract

Evidence that the quality of commercial poultry feeds on the Nigerian markets may frequently be very poor has been established. Therefore, a laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the proximate composition of commercial broiler starter diets, for their suitability for broiler chicken’s nutrition. Four samples of the broiler starter diets labeled “diets A, B, C and D were subjected to proximate analysis in the laboratory. Three samples (100g each) of the four diets were obtained separately from three poultry feed suppliers within Kaduna metropolis. The four diets differed significantly (P<0.05) from each other in percentage crude protein (%CP). The %CP of diet D was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to the other diets, while diet B had the least (P<0.05) %CP. The metabolizable energy (ME) of diet A was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to that of other diets. The %CP for diets C (22.72) and D (25.66) as well as the ME of all the diets was found to be adequate to support growth of broiler chicks. The %CF of diets A and B did not differ (P>0.05) but were significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to diet C and D. The percentage nitrogen free extract (%NFE) of diets A and C were similar (P>0.05) but significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of diets C and D. The result of this study has revealed that among the four commercial broiler starter diets sold within Kaduna metropolis, only diet C and D has adequate crude protein that could support broiler starter bird’s growth performance.