Growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology and carcass traits of broiler chickens fed dry, wet and fermented-wet feed

This study seeks to investigate the growth performance, intestinal morphology, carcass traits and apparent nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed with dry, wet and fermented-wet feed. Three experimental diets were formulated in this study. Diet 1 was dry mash feed. Diet 2 was wet mash feed in a 1:1.3 mix with water. Diet 3, was fermented-wet mash feed in a 1:1.3 mix with water which was fermented for 24 h in sealed plastic polythene bags prior to feeding. A total of 192 two-weeks-old broilers (Marshal strain) were randomly assigned to the experimental diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment group was replicated four times with 16 birds per replicate. Each dietary treatment was fed immediately to the birds after re-constitution. Fermentation of the feed reduced (P<0.05) the pH from 6.61 to 4.37. Birds fed fermented-wet and wet mash recorded higher (P<0.05) final live weight and weight gain. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected (P>0.05) by wet and fermented-wet fed birds compared to the dry fed birds. Mortality was not affected by dietary treatment imposed. Apparent organic matter digestibility was higher (P<0.05) in birds fed fermented-wet feed when compared to birds fed with dry and wet feed. Intestinal villus morphology and carcass measurement were not affected (P>0.05) by the treatment imposed. However, birds fed wet feed showed lower (P<0.05) gizzard weight when compared to birds fed fermented-wet feed. Birds fed with fermented-wet mash recorded higher (P<0.05) abdominal fat than those fed with dry mash. The results of this study indicated fermented-wet feeding improved apparent organic matter digestibility with a resultant improved growth performance of broiler chicken.