Abstract 402

Olomu,-JM; Offiong,-SA

Animal Husbandry and Biochemistry Dep., National Animal Production Inst., Shika, PMB 1096, Zaria, Nigeria.

Tropical-Agriculture. 1985, 62: 4, 289-293; 14 ref.

Two experiments were made to estimate the effects of rearing pullets on diets baded on groundnut oilmeal (GO). Four diets were given in each experiment: GO as the only source of supplementary protein; GO and 5% fish meal; 2.5% of the fish meal in the previous diet replaced by 2% locally produced blood meal, on an equal protein basis: 4% blood meal replacing all of the fish meal, on an equal protein basis. All diets used for one experiment were equal in energy (11.72 and 10.88 MJ/kg, respectively, for experiments 1 and 2) and equal in crude protein (20% and 16%, respectively, for starter and grower diets). All diets had calcium 1.2 and 0.9%, respectively, in starter and grower diets and phosphorus 0.8 and 0.6%. Unsupplemented GO diets reduced bodyweight at 8 weeks relative to diets with 5% fish meal, although at 20 weeks no significant differences were observed. The balance of fish meal or blood meal, or the use of blood meal in place of fish meal, did not affect feed intake but reduced the feed cost per bird. Age to 5% egg production was delayed on the unsupplemented GO diet, but ages at 50% and peak production, and the subsequent laying performances, were not significantly affected by the rearing diets.