Effects of Feeding Soaked-toasted Tallow (Detarium microcarpum, Guill and Sperr) Seed Meal as Replacement for Soybean Meal on Organ Weights, Haematology and Serum Biochemical Indices of Broiler Chickens

The effect of feeding graded levels of soaked-toasted Tallow seed meal (STTSM) as partial replacement of soybean meal on the organ weights, haematological and biochemical indices of broiler chicks were evaluated. Three hundred and sixty (360) day- old broiler chicks of the Amo Strain were used. The experimental layout was a completely randomized design with three treatments, each with three replicates (40 birds/replicate). The inclusion levels of STTSM in the diets were 0, 10 and 20% (w/w). The parameters measured were live body weight, organ weights, haematological and biochemical indices. ANOVA showed that final body live weight was higher (P < 0.05) in broilers fed the control diet (0% STTSM) compared to that fed with the STTSM formulated diets. The substitution of STTSM in broiler chick diets did not significantly affected the organ weights of liver (30-40 g), heart (8-10 g), kidney (2 g), pancreas (5-7 g), proventriculus (9-10 g) and gizzard (39-65 g). The fat deposit of birds fed with the 0% STTSM diet (65 g) was significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to that fed with the STTSM (39 g) based diets. The values of the haematogical and biochemical indices were not affected (P>0.05) by the incorporation of STTSM in the diets. As it can be concluded, tallow seeds meal can be incorporated in broiler chickens rations up to 20% with no adverse effects on organ weights and haematological and biochemical indices of broiler chicks.