Replacement Value of Dusa (Locally Processed Maize Offal) for Maize in the Diets of Pullets and Subsequent Early Laying Characteristics

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the replacement value of dusa (locally processed maize offal) for maize in the diets of pullets (9-20 weeks) and their subsequent early laying performance. Three hundred and seventy eight (378) eight weeks old egg type pullets of approximately equal weights were randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments with three replicates of 18 birds each. The seven dietary treatments composed of rations in which graded levels of dusa replaced maize up to 100% in diet seven. At the end of the experiment average feed consumption was significantly (p<0.05) lower for the control and it increased as the level of dusa increased in the diets. The final body weight of pullets was better for treatment four which contained equal proportion of maize and dusa in the diets. The cost (N*kg gain) was significantly (p<0.05) higher for the control diet and it decreased as the level of dusa increased in the diets. The subsequent performance of birds revealed that the weight of birds at first egg, 10% and at 50% egg production were better for treatment four. The weight of first egg and ages at first egg were better for the diets with higher level of maize. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in ages at 10%, 50%, peak egg production, weight of eggs at peak production and cost (N*dozen egg) for all the treatments. There was a 39.03% savings in cost of production by using dusa in pullets diets.