Dietary Inclusion Rate of Cocoa Husk for Starter Cockerels

Abstract

Growth performance and economics of production were measured to assess the dietary inclusion rate of cocoa husk for starter cockerels. The study involved 156, 2-week-old cockerels which were reared for 6 weeks on four diets incorporating 0, 10, 15 and 20% cocoa husk meal (CHM) at the expense of maize. Body weight gain and feed conversion were depressed beyond the 10% CHM level. Although cost of feed consumed decreased across treatments, feed cost/kg body weight gain was reduced beyond the 10% CHM level. Ten percent dietary inclusion of CHM appears optimal in cockerel starter diets since beyond this level, growth performance and monetary gains are sacrificed.