Growth, carcass and organ of broiler chickens fed finisher diets with avocado pear (Persea americana) seed powder

Abstract

This study investigated the phytogenic potential of avocado seed powder in finisher broiler chicken diets. Broiler finisher diets with varying levels of pulverized avocado pear seed was compounded into five (5) treatments; AVP 0% (control) inclusion of the avocado pear seed powder, AVP 2.5 % of avocado pear seed powder, AVP 3.5 % of avocado pear seed powder, AVP 4.5 % of avocado pear seed powder and AVP 5.5 % of avocado pear seed powder. One hundred and fifty (150) four weeks old were randomly selected and assigned to the five (5) treatments. Each treatment had 30 birds with three (3) replicates of ten (10) birds each under a completely randomised design (CRD) experiment. The birds were fed ad libitum and water supplied without restriction. At the end of the feeding trial, two birds were randomly selected from each replicate for carcass and organ characteristics. The finisher broiler chickens can tolerate up to 5.5% level of avocado seed powder with enhanced feed conversion ratio, carcass growth, especially drumstick and breast that are vital
broiler prime cuts. The kidney which reduced in weight as the avocado pear seed powder increased was the only organ affected by the treatments.