Nutritive Value of Treated Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) Seeds for Broiler Chicks

The study was conducted to assess the nutritional value of feeding different treated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seeds for broiler chicks as source of protein. Unsexed one hundred and sixty one day old broiler chicks (Ross) were used. Four approximately isocaloric and isonitrogenus diet (A, B, C, D) were formulated to meet the nutrient requirements of the broiler chicks. The basal diets contained sorghum, groundnuts meal, sesame meal and broiler concentrates, (Diet A) as control. The cowpea seeds were included at 15% of the diet with different treatments, Diet B containing soaked seeds (in water for 12 hours and boiling cowpea seeds for 10 minutes) plus multienzyme (Bergazym P) contains Endo-β-1,4- xylanase, Endopentosanase, protease and amylase, Diet C containing soaked seeds in water for 12 hours and boiling for 10 minutes, Diet D containing roasting seeds at 100oC for 15 minutes in electric oven. Completely randomized design was used to execute the experiment. The chicks were allotted randomly into pens, 8 birds/pen as replicate each treatment was replicated 5 times (40 birds/treatment). Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period (45 days).Data collected on weekly feed intake, body weight and feed conversion ratio, final body weight, hot carcass, and dressing percentage