Evaluation of termite (Macrotermes Subhyalinus) meal as an alternative protein on the performance of broiler chickens

Author

Chirwa, Clara

Title

Evaluation of termite (Macrotermes Subhyalinus) meal as an alternative protein on the performance of broiler chickens

Abstract

The rising cost of conventional feed ingredients has prompted the need to look for alternative feed resources in order to reduce the cost of poultry feeds. The termite (Macrotermes subhyalinus) meal as an alternative protein feedstuff in the broiler diet was investigated in this research. The growth performance, meat quality of broiler chicks and the factors influencing the use of termites as a protein supplement were assessed. Twenty-four 1-day old broiler chicks, twelve males and twelve females were assigned to four dietary treatments, commercial conventional feed,75% termite meal,50%termite meal and 25% termite meal. For each treatment, there were six chicks with equal number of male to female ratio. The amino acid profile of the termite meal was analyzed using the Kjeldahl method,with 44.5% crude protein ,26.6% fat content and 8.3% moisture content.After four weeks the chickens were weighed and the food conversion ratio on the proposed diets were also calculated. An ANOVA test was done to compare the means of the four groups in four weeks and the p value was ,p=0.00 for FCR in relation to time and p=0.043 for FCR in relation to the proposed diets(proposed treatments. A normal distribution test was done on the treatments and all the p values analyzed were >0.05 . Based on the proximate profile of termites, it was found that there is need to carry out extensive research on their nutritional value in order to enable their use in smallholder poultry production. The termite meal did not significantly affect meat quality. Overall, the termite meal inclusion in broiler diet is acceptable as a protein feed meal as well as an important step towards the improvement of poultry production in Zimbabwe.

Date

October 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Termite meal

Macrotermes subhyalinus

Broiler chicken performance

Alternative protein sources

Supervisor

Mr Ndava