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

Figure 4: Total Volatile Fatty Acid Levels of Alum Treated and Untreated Litter Figure 5: Ammonium ion (NH 4 + ) Concentrations of alum Treated and Untreated Litter IV. D iscussion a) Performance of Broiler Chickens Raised on Alum Treated and Untreated Litter The improved final weight, feed intake, FCR and cost/kg gain in the alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter) is in agreement with that obtained by Moore et al . (2000), who reported that alum treatment to poultry litter resulted in increased weight gains and improved feed conversion. This significant difference observed between the alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter) and the untreated litter (0% alum treated litter) can be attributed to the haematological parameters of the birds in this groups, hence indicating immune challenge condition of birds in the control group. The significantly higher final weight and weight gain observed in 5% and 10% alum treated litter compared to 15% alum treated litter may be due to the high alum concentration in the litter in 15% alum treated litter, which is similar to the result obtained by Choi and Moore (2008), who reported significantly higher weight gain in lower aluminium chloride compared to the high aluminium chloride treatment. Birds in 15% alum treated litter were observed to be limping during the study period. In general, alum treatment to broiler litter improves feed conversion, increased weight gains and resulted in fewer mortalities (Forbes and Robert, 2012). b) Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Raised on Alum Treated and Untreated Litter The significantly higher live weight, dressed weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and percent breast, thigh and drum stick in the alum treated litter groups (5%, 10% and 15% alum treated litter) compared to the untreated litter group (0% alum treated litter) and the significantly higher percent wings and back can be attributed to the health status of the birds as shown from the haematological parameters of the birds which agree with the result of Chinrasri and 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 0 2 4 6 8 Total Volatile Fatty Acid (uM/kg) Time (weeks) Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 Treatment 4 SEM week0 = 0.3586 week2 = 0.3958 week4 = 0.3962 week6 = 0.6341 week8 = 0.6962 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 0 2 4 6 8 NH 4 + (%) Time (weeks) Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 Treatment 4 SEM week0 = 0.0046 week2 = 0.0064 week4 = 0.0060 week6 = 0.0244 week8 = 0.0157 © 2021 Global Journals 1 Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Volume XXI Issue VII Year 2021 22 ( D ) Version I Performance of Broiler Birds Managed on Recycled Litter Treated with Graded Levels of Aluminium Sulphate (Alum)