Biochemical parameters, performance studies and lipid profile of broiler birds fed Bambara meal substituted diet

This research investigated the performance and serum enzymes activities of broiler birds fed 40% replacement level of Soybean meal  (SBM) for Bambara groundnut meal (BGM). A total of 140 newly hatched broiler chicks (Arbor Acre strain) allocated in a completely  randomized design were used for the research. The experimental diets consisted of seven dietary treatments, four replicates of five birds per replicate. Treatment 1 (0% BGM) served as the control diet, T2-T7 contained equal concentration (40% substitution level) of differently processed BGM. The activities of the transaminases (ALT and AST), gamma glutamyl transferase, the concentrations of serum total protein, creatinine, uric acid, as well as the serum lipid profile were monitored. Findings revealed that there were no significant (p>0.05) differences amongst the serum ALT of birds on boiled, fermentation with and fermentation without decantation Bambara groundnut diets (0.922, 0.933 and 0.932 nmol min-1 mg-1) respectively. Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol were highest in roasted and raw Bambara groundnut (1.86 mmol/L) meal diets. The drum stick (146.412 g) and the thigh (192.455g) of birds placed on raw Bambara groundnut meal had higher significant (p<0.05) weight gain values compared with those of birds on other experimental diets in the study. The results thus indicated that replacing Bambara groundnut at 40% against soya bean meal had no detrimental effects on measured indices, hence save for poultry farmers and consumers of the meat