Effects of supplementing rubber seed (Hevea brasiliensis) meal on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and meat quality of broiler chicken

Abstract

The study was conducted to know the impact of feeding Rubber seed meal (RSM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, nutritional digestibility, and anti-nutritional effects in broiler chicken. Total 126 unsexed dayold Cobb-500 commercial broiler chicks were randomly assigned to six nutritional treatment groups during the 35-day trial. Three replicates, each with seven chicks, made up each group. The six dietary groups were as follows: T0 control group (basal diet, 0% RSM), RSM was 10% for T1, 15% for T2, 20% for T3, 25% for T4, and 30% for T5 %. Proximate analysis revealed that rubber seed contained 42.7% Ether Extract (EE) and 17.9% Crude Protein (CP) while Rubber seed hull contained 74% Crude Fiber CF) 2.7% Crude Protein (CP). Raw RSM had the highest quantities of flavonoids and tannins within safe bounds. In comparison to the control, no significant variation was found in overall growth performance among the dietary treatments. There was no significant effect on meat pH and drip losses among the treatments however, the drip loss increased with increased the post-mortem days and higher percentage of drip loss was observed broiler fed T5diet. There were no significant variation observed in carcass characteristics (dress percentage, breast percentage and thigh percentage) among the treatments ,however numerically higher breast and thigh percentage and lower abdominal fat percentage was found broiler fed diet 25% soybean meal replaced by RSM (T4 diet). The lowest Ether Extract and higher crude protein content in meat was found in birds fed diet supplements with rubber seed meal and higher CP and lower EE was observed broiler fed T3 and T4 diet. Furthermore, when compared to other treatments, the digestibility of ash and ether extract was considerably higher in birds fed diet 25% soybean meal replaced by RSM (T4 diet). The lowest lipid oxidation (TBARS) value of meat was observed on different postmortem days of broiler fed T4 diet. Based on the present findings it can be concluded that up to 25% soybean meal can be replaced by rubber seed meal in broiler ration without any negative consequences.