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GROWTH RESPONSE AND CARCASS QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKENS FED GRADED LEVELS OF SESAME (Sesamum indicum) MEAL SUPPLEMENTED WITH A MULTI-ENZYME
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1  Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Academic Editor: Elisabete Matos

Abstract:

The poultry industry seeks innovative strategies to mitigate rising feed costs and competition for conventional feedstuffs towards achieving sustainable livestock. This study evaluated the impact of graded levels of sesame meal (SM), supplemented with a multi-enzyme complex, as a sustainable partial replacement for highly priced conventional feed ingredients on the growth response and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 210 Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted to seven dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, comprising 0%–25% SM inclusion with enzyme supplementation, which lasted for 8 weeks. The growth response showed that higher SM inclusion levels (>10%) significantly (P<0.05) depressed the body weight gain, average daily gain, and feed intake, while FCR increased. However, birds fed up to 10% SM inclusion exhibited comparable growth performance to the control, with an FCR of 1.96-1.97. Carcass evaluation indicated that increased SM inclusion significantly reduced abdominal fat (1.00-0.31%), thereby suggesting SM’s potential anti-lipogenic effect. Additionally, breast yield declined with higher inclusions (e.g., 31.50% at 20% SM vs. 35.37% at 15% SM). The study concluded that SM supplemented with a multi-enzyme can successfully replace up to 10% of conventional feed ingredients in broiler diets without compromising growth or carcass quality. However, higher inclusion levels require an increased enzyme dosage to reduce anti-nutritional effects and support sustainable and cost-effective poultry feeding.

Keywords: Sesame meal; broiler chickens; enzyme supplementation; growth performance; feed conversion ratio (FCR)
Comments on this paper
Mohammed Bereziga
Excellent presentation. The study provides very practical insights into sustainable poultry nutrition. I am particularly interested in the anti-lipogenic effect observed at higher Sesame Meal (SM) levels. Given my ongoing research into organic growth stimulants like Cinnamon and Biochar in Algeria, do you believe that combining SM with natural additives could further mitigate the anti-nutritional effects observed at inclusion levels higher than 10%?"
Lydia Ademakinwa
Thank you

Yes, I believe combining sesame meal with natural additives like cinnamon and biochar could further mitigate the anti-nutritional effects observed at higher inclusion levels. As enzymes improve nutrient breakdown, cinnamon can enhance digestion and gut health, and biochar may help bind anti-nutritional compounds thereby mitigating the anti-nutritional effects . Their combined effect could create a synergistic system that supports better performance even beyond 10% inclusion. However, this would require further investigation to optimize dosage and interactions.

Mohammed Bereziga
Thank you, Dr. Lydia, for your insightful confirmation. I am thrilled to see our visions align on the potential of Cinnamon and Biochar. As I prepare to implement this synergistic model in my poultry unit in Algeria, what initial inclusion levels of Cinnamon powder (e.g., 0.5% or 1%) would you recommend to start with alongside the 10% Sesame Meal to ensure gut health without affecting palatability?
Lydia Ademakinwa
I would suggest you start with 0.5% inclusion level of cinnamon powder alongside 10% Sesame meal to observe birds performance and gut response before then cautiously scaling up the inclusion levels (0.75%,1%), if results are positive due to the palatability.

Mohammed Bereziga
Thank you, Dr. Lydia, for this precise recommendation. I will start with the 0.5% cinnamon level as suggested to prioritize palatability. Regarding the 'Triple-Blend' I mentioned, given your advice on cautious scaling, do you think adding 1% Garlic powder and 1% Biochar at the same time might interfere with the birds' acceptance of the feed, or would the charcoal actually help neutralize some of the strong odors from the Garlic and Cinnamon?
Lydia Ademakinwa
For the triple-blend, adding 1% garlic and 1% biochar at the same time would definitely interfere with the bird’s response. However, Biochar can’t effectively mask the odor but works majorly as a buffering agent in the gut environment and reduce their intensity.

I would therefore suggest you introduce all three with an adaptation step:
0.5% cinnamon + 0.5% Garlic + 1% biochar and then gradually scale up the inclusion levels.



 
 
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