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International Journal of Poultry Science

Year: 2014 | Volume: 13 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 42-46
DOI: 10.3923/ijps.2014.42.46
Effect of Including Some Insects as Feed Supplement on Broilers Reared in Zimbabwe
Dube Shadreck and Tariro Mukwanise

Abstract: A trial to test the effect of including some insects as feed supplement on broilers reared in Zimbabwe was conducted. The initial weight of the day old chicks was 48 g they all looked healthy. The feed was provided as mash which the young birds ate normally. On day 12 and 18 when Bursa gomboro vaccine was administered there was no change in feeding frequency. Growth was steady the birds approximately doubling their own weight every 5 days. Throughout the study period day temperatures were between 25 and 35°C Celsius and night temperature were between 15 and 20°C Celsius. Humidity ranged between 65 and 95% the mean being 75%. Rainfall with thunder occurred at least 5 times but did not affect the birds with regards to feeding frequency. The birds that fed on Encosternum delegorguei had a lower mass than the others until slaughter. Those fed on Macrotermes falciger had a higher mass until day 25 after which the control group took the lead. There was a significant difference in growth rate between hens and cocks in all the groups (H, I, C) p>0.05. Comparison of cocks fed on Macrotermes falciger, Encosternum delegorguei and the control showed no significant difference p>0.05. Comparison of hens fed on Macrotermes falciger, Encosternum delegorguei and the control showed no significant difference p>0.05. There was significant difference between feed consumed during the day and that consumed at night among all the three groups p>0.05. The sizes of the various body parts were within range for all the groups indicating food utilization by the birds was even and not channeled to one organ. No unusual ill health effects were recorded, the appearance of the birds was normal, internal organs did not show any signs indicating ill health for hens and cocks fed on Macrotermes falciger, Encosternum delegorguei and the control.

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How to cite this article
Dube Shadreck and Tariro Mukwanise, 2014. Effect of Including Some Insects as Feed Supplement on Broilers Reared in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Poultry Science, 13: 42-46.

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