BLOOD CHEMISTRY AND CARCASS YIELD OF COCKERELS FED MELON HUSK DIETS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the serum metabolites and carcass yield of cockerels fed melon Husk (MH) diets. A total of 120 day-old Harco cockerels were fed four experimental diets in which maize was replaced with MH at 0, 10, 20 and 30 % levels. Cholesterol, total protein and other serum metabolites were generally higher on t h control diet than on MH diets. There was inverse relationship between total protein, albumin, uric acid and levels of MH in the diet. The values decreased with increase in the level of MH in the diet. Dressed weight was superior with a value of 55.58 % on 20 % MH diet. The heart and liver of birds fed on control diet were heavier than those fed on MH diets. However, gizzards and intestines recorded highest weights respectively on 30% MH diet. Similar trend was observed in caeca weight which recorded the highest value of 1.75% on 30% MH diet. Maize can be replaced with 20% MH in-starter di& gf-caskere1 without adverse effects on blood constituents and carcass yield.