This study was carried out for 4 weeks at the Research Experimental Farm (FAR) of
the University of Dschang-Cameroon, on the feeding of broilers with cowpea
(
Vigna unguiculata
) as a source of protein, which replaced animal meal (CMAV 10%) in the
finisher diet. The objective was to evaluate the effect of the incorporation level of
cooked cowpea on the production performances of broilers in the grower-finisher diet,
so cooking could be an easy solution to local farmers if proven efficient. A total of
160 male broiler chicks, 21 days old and weighing 416.32g on average, were randomly
distributed into 32 experimental units of 4 birds each. Each of the five experimental
diets: F0, F1, F2, F3 and F4 containing 0% (control), 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% of
cooked cowpea was respectively allocated to 8 experimental units in a completely
randomised design comprising 5 treatments with 4 replicates each. Cowpea grains
bought from the local market were cooked for 3 minutes in a pressure cooker at the
temperature of about 115°C under a pressure of 155Pa. Cooked grains were sun-dried
for one week (under a temperature of about 28-32°C) to a humidity level of about
11%. Parameters measured were feed consumption, live weight and weight gain, feed
conversion ratio, feeding cost for the production of one kg live weight, carcass yields,
proportions of different parts analysed and the creatinine level in the chickens’ serum.
The results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between
treatment groups for total feed consumption. Live weight (1941.93±77.74g and
1804.21±271.73g), weight gain (1207.61±71.50g and 1094.93±177.16g), and feed
conversion ratio (2.79 ±0.15 and 3.02 ±0.46) recorded for the F3 group (25% cooked
cowpea) and F4 (30% cooked cowpea) respectively were statistically significant
(P<0.01) as compared with the other groups. The F3 and F4 rations induced the
highest feeding cost for the production of one kg live weight (P>0.01) during the
whole experimental period. F0, F1 and F2 broilers were comparable for these
parameters. All the treatment groups were not statistically different (P>0.05) for
carcass yield, proportions of organs and serum creatinine level. It was concluded that
up to 20% of cooked cowpea could be used in the finisher diet without negatively
affecting feed consumption, live weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feeding
cost for the production of one Kg live weight and carcass quality of broilers.
