Carcass and organ characteristics of broiler finisher chickens fed matured sun-dried nypa palm fruit (Nypa fruticans) nut meal

Graded levels of matured sun-dried nypa palm fruit nut meal (Nypa fruiticans) as replacement for maize in the diet of finisher broiler chicken was carried out in a feeding trial that lasted for 56 days. One hundred and eighty (180) eight weeks old broilers were used. The birds were assigned to six dietary treatments of three replicates each. The experiment was conducted using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each diet represented a treatment. Diet I served as the control free of the test component. The remaining five (5) diets were formulated on 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent substitution levels of matured sun-dried nypa palm fruit nut meal for maize. The diets and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Data generated on carcass and visceral organs were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results revealed that dressing percentage decreased with increasing level of nypa palm fruit meal substitution. Carcass mean for the drumstick, breast, back and thigh were significantly (P<0.05) different, while the relative weights of the neck and wings were not significantly (P>0.05) different from each other. Weights of the visceral organs for the gizzard, heart, liver, proventriculus, abdominal fats and intestinal weights were significantly (P<0.05) different. However, the relative organs of the kidney, lungs and crop were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Conclusively, the low abdominal fat associated with increase substitution level of nypa palm fruit nut meal for maize is an assurance of good benefit for people with heart related problems. Keywords: Carcass and organs, characteristics, broiler finisher, matured sun-dried, nypa fruit mea