Effect of dietary inclusion of graded levels of cereal origin solid food waste on performance of Cobb 500 broilers in SNNPRS, Ethiopia

Effect of partial replacement of maize with dried cereal origin solid food wastes (DCOSFWs) on feed intake, growth and carcass traits of Cobb500 broilers was determined in Hawassa, southern nation nationality and people regional state (SNNPRS), Ethiopia. From 3 sample kebeles, 376 households (Philadelphia=126, Gudumalle=115 and Hetteta=135) were selected through multistage random sampling technique to collect DCOSFW. One hundred sixty five Cobb500 broilers were randomly assigned to five treatment diets with three replications in a completely randomized design. Experimental diets: Grower diets: [T0=0% DCOSFWs (control diet), T1=11.43% DCOSFWs, T2=22.86% DCOSFWs, T3=34.29% DCOSFWs and T4=45.71% DCOSFWs]; Finisher diets: [T0=0% DCOSFWs (control diet), T1=10% DCOSFWs, T2=20% DCOSFWs, T3=30% DCOSFWs and T4=40% DCOSFWs]. Data collection of the feeding trial started after an adaptation period of the chicks to the experimental pens and diets for two weeks. The DM, CP, CF, EE and ME intakes of broilers were similar (p<0.05) across treatment diets. However, CP, CF, EE and ME intake of finisher broilers fed on T4 were higher (p<0.05) than those fed on T0 (control). Body weight gain, average daily gain, slaughter weight, carcass weight, thigh, drumstick, back, thorax and total edible weights of broilers fed on T4 were higher (p<0.05) compared to chicks on T0. Cost of feed per kg body weight gain declined but body weight and net profit increased with increasing level of DCOSFWs. Thus, it is concluded that incorporating DCOSFWs in grower and finisher broilers diet up to 46% is economically feasible and more profitable and nutritionally adequate without adverse effect on the performance of broilers.