Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, D: Agriculture and Veterinary, Volume 21 Issue 7

soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and total VFA. Unfiltered samples were used for pH using a pH meter and were analyzed immediately. Samples for total nitrogen and ammonium ions were filtered through a 0.45- μ m membrane filter and were determined usingKjeldahl method with Kjeldahlapparatus as described by A. O. A. C. (1990). Samples to be tested for soluble reactive phosphorus were filtered through a 0.45- μ m membrane filter, acidified to a pH of 2.0 with HCl and frozen until when required for analyses (Moore et al ., 1995). Soluble reactive phosphorus was determined using the Bray1 method with an auto- analyzer (Spec 20D) according to APHA (1992). Samples for total VFA were not filtered but frozen until when required for analyses Kim (2003). Total VFA was analyzed using steam distillation technique with steam distillation apparatus as described by Chakrabarty(2003). iv. Statistical analyses All the data collected from the experiment were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the general linear model of statistical analysis system (SAS, 2001) software package and the mean separation was done using Duncan multiple range test. III. R esults a) Performance of Broiler Chickens Raised on Alum Treated and Untreated Poultry Litter The performance of broiler chickens raised on alum treated and untreated poultry litter is shown in Table 2. The result showed no significant (P>0.05) differences among treatment groups in the daily weight gain, daily feed intake and daily water intake. However, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in final weight, total weight gain, feed conversion ratio, cost/kg gain and mortality across the treatments. The result showed higher final weight in alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter) compared to the control (0% alum treated litter), with 10% alum treated litter having the highest final weight of 2.41kg and 0% alum treated litter having the least final weight of 1.96kg. Total weight gain was highest in 10% alum treated litter with 2.36kg and least in 0% alum treated litter with 1.91kg. FCR was higher in 0% alum treated litter with 2.43 and least in 10% alum treated litter with 2.18. Cost/kg gain was highest in 0% alum treated litter with N216.05 and least in 5% alum treated litter with N194.72. Mortality percentages was highest in 0% alum treated litter with 43.33% and least in 10% alum treated litter with 1.66%. b) Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Raised on Alum Treated and Untreated Litter Table 3 shows the carcass characteristics of broiler chickens raised on alum treated and untreated litter. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in live weight, dressed weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, breast, wings, back, thigh, drum stick and the weight of spleen, heart, liver, lungs and kidney across the treatments. The live weight was significantly higher in 5% and 10% alum treated litter with both having 2400.00g each, followed by 15% alum treated litter with 2270.00g and the least live weight was observed in 0% alum treated litter with 1970.00g. dressing weight was also significantly higher in 5% and 10% alum treated litter with 2320.00g and 2270.00g respectively, followed by 15% alum treated litter with 2080.00g and the least dressing weight was observed in 0% alum treated litter with 1720.00g. Carcass weight followed the same trend as live weight and dressed weight, the carcass weight was significantly higher in 5% and 10% alum treated litter having 1740.00g and 1750.00grespectively, followed by 15% alum treated litter with 1530.00g and the least carcass weight was obtained in 0% alum treated litter with 1310.00g. The dressing percentage was significantly higher in the alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter) compared to the control group (0% alum treated litter), with the highest dressing percentage in 5% alum treated litter with 96.53% and least in the control group with 87.32%. Percent breast, thigh and drum stick were significantly higher in the alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter) compared to the control (0% alum treated litter) while percent wings and back are significantly higher in the control (0% alum treated litter) compared to the alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter). The percent weight of spleen, heart, liver, lungs and kidney were significantly higher in the control (0% alum treated litter) compared to all the alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter). 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VII Year 2021 19 ( D ) © 2021 Global Journals Version I Performance of Broiler Birds Managed on Recycled Litter Treated with Graded Levels of Aluminium Sulphate (Alum)