Effect of Including Some Insects as Feed Supplement on Broilers Reared in Zimbabwe
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Date
2014
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Asian Network for Scientific Information
Abstract
A trial to test the effect of including some insects as feed supplement on broilers reared in
Zimbabwe was conducted. The initial weight of the day old chicks was 48 g they all looked healthy. The feed
was provided as mash which the young birds ate normally. On day 12 and 18 when Bursa gomboro vaccine
was administered there was no change in feeding frequency. Growth was steady the birds approximately
doubling their own weight every 5 days. Throughout the study period day temperatures were between 25 and
35°C Celsius and night temperature were between 15 and 20°C Celsius. Humidity ranged between 65 and
95% the mean being 75%. Rainfall with thunder occurred at least 5 times but did not affect the birds with
regards to feeding frequency. The birds that fed on Encosternum delegorguei had a lower mass than the
others until slaughter. Those fed on Macrotermes falciger had a higher mass until day 25 after which the
control group took the lead. There was a significant difference in growth rate between hens and cocks in all
the groups (H, I, C) p>0.05. Comparison of cocks fed on Macrotermes falciger, Encosternum delegorguei and
the control showed no significant difference p>0.05. Comparison of hens fed on Macrotermes falciger,
Encosternum delegorguei and the control showed no significant difference p>0.05. There was significant
difference between feed consumed during the day and that consumed at night among all the three groups
p>0.05. The sizes of the various body parts were within range for all the groups indicating food utilization by
the birds was even and not channeled to one organ. No unusual ill health effects were recorded, the
appearance of the birds was normal, internal organs did not show any signs indicating ill health for hens and
cocks fed on Macrotermes falciger, Encosternum delegorguei and the control.
Description
This article is published by International Journal of Poultry Science in 2014 vol. 13 (1): pp.42-46. The ISSN for the article is 1682-8356.
Keywords
Macrotermes, Encosternum, broilers, feed supplement, growth
Citation
Dube, S. and Mukwanise, T. 2014. Effect of Including Some Insects as Feed Supplement on Broilers Reared in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Poultry Science, 13 (1), pp. 42-46.