CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background of study
Broiler production is one of the most popular livestock enterprises
adopted by small and medium scale farmers in both rural and urban areas
as it offers the highest turnover and quicker returns on investment
(Afolayan et al., 2014). Broiler production is a good source of animal
protein and contributes immensely in boosting the consumption level of
animal protein because of its short generation interval and high growth
rate (Essen et al., 2005). The benefit of broiler production is grossly
affected by the high cost of feed and an established fact that feed
represents the major cost of poultry production. This high cost of feed has
been identified to be one of the major constraints in commercial broiler
production (Vivian et al., 2015).
Global consumption of poultry products, especially poultry meat has
consistently increased over the years and the trend is expected to
continue. Much of the increase in global demand for poultry industry is
having a profound effect on the demand for feed and raw materials.
However, it is also becoming clear that the requirement for the four
traditional (conventional) feed ingredients cannot be met (Kellems et al.,
2010).
The gap between local supply and demand for these traditional
ingredients is expected to widen over the coming decades, providing a
compelling reason for exploring the usefulness of locally available
alternative feed stuffs in feed formulations (Ravindran & Blair 1993). In
Nigeria, commercial poultry production is one of the highest sources of
animal protein, but the challenge faced by the industry mainly is the
availability, on sustainable basis, of feed and feed ingredients. Thus,
making unconventional feedstuff an option to be given a serious and
concerted consideration, since they are most times relatively cheaper and
readily available. In evaluating this unconventional feedstuff, their effects
on health should also be considered as well.
Alternative feed ingredients can be whole products, by products of
processing industries, They can as well be part of a crop that is not
mainly the reason of planting the crop, like the leaves of tuberous crops.
Unconventional feed ingredients possess the advantage of low cost, ease
of accessibility and low food-feed competition (Sonaiya, 1995). There is
a need to utilize unconventional growth enhancers in broiler nutrition that
could improve nutrient digestibility, control pathogenic microorganisms,
facilitate favourable intestinal microbial balance and enhance absorption
of calorigenic nutrients across the gut wall by increasing its absorption
capacity ( Al-Khalifa et al., 2018).
One of such unconventional feedstuff is avocado seed. Avocado seed is a
waste obtained from Avocado fruit (Persea americana) and has potential
health benefits which include improving digestion, reducing risk of
depression, cures diarrhoea or dysentery. Studies have shown that
avocados are rich in macro nutrients like carbohydrate, vitamin and
proteins (Whitney and Rolfes, 2005).
It is also used as a feed addictive as a result of its active constituent
"polyphenols" with antioxidant and antimicrobial power which in some
cases are better than synthetic antioxidants due to their toxicity when in
excess (Dabas et al., 2013). These feed ingredients like avocado seeds
gotten from plant materials that are of little or no value to man will be an
advantage if used in broiler production. This research therefore was
carried out to determine the Performance and biochemical parameters of
broiler chickens fed avocado (Persea americana) seed meal based diet.
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