PAT December, 2011; 7 (2): 20-28 ISSN: 0794-5213

Online copy available at

www.patnsukjournal.net/currentissue
Publication of Nasarawa State University, Keffi

Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed (Ceiba petandra) Based Diets

*Ari, M. M1., Barde, R . E1.,Ogah, M.D. 1, Yakubu, A2 and Aya, V.E1

1
Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture,
PMB 33 Lafia, Nasarawa State
2
Faculty of Agriculture, Nasarawa State University Keffi
*Corresponding author: +234 803 6253270 [email protected]

Abstract
The utilization of silk cotton seed (Ceiba patandra) as a substitute for full fat soyabeans was
evaluated using 120 Anak broiler chickens during 8 week feeding trails in which silk cotton
seed (toasted, TSCS and untoasted, USCS) was used to replace soyabean at 0%(T1), 50%TSC
(T2), 50%USCS (T3), 100%TSCS (T4) and 100% USCS(T5).Data were collected on average
feed consumption, body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and performance
index. The results obtained showed treatment effect on feed intake and weight gain was
significant (P<0.05). However, the highest feed intake and weight gain (880.68 g and, 429.65
g) respectively was recorded for T1 (control). T 2 showed the best replacement potentials for
soyabeans in terms of feed intake (676.16 g ) and BWG (449.56 g). Similarly, mean feed
conversion ratio and performance index were significantly (P<0.05) different between
treatment groups. From the results obtained in this study, it could be concluded that 50%
replacement of soyabeans with toasted silk cotton seed (TSCS) is a desirable substitute for
soyabean in the diets of broilers.
Keywords: Broilers, Feed Substitution, Performance index , Silk Cotton Seed (Ceiba
patandra)

INTRODUCTION
Oil seeds account for the largest cost item by volume in any poultry feed production
enterprises (Refstie, et al. 1999). Therefore the search for alternative replacement for
the major oil seeds in poultry nutrition will continue to attract attention from all
stakeholders. These alternative replacements must however be nutritionally rich, have
cost / availability advantages and should be less competitive than the major oilseeds like
soyabean and groundnut.
The protein content of silk cotton meal is of good quality but low in cystine and
methionine (Morgan, 1990), Ceiba pentandra and also contains essential minerals and
trace elements that promote well being (Obiajunwa et al., 2005) and fatty acids
glycosides, saponins and steroids (Friday et al., 2011 and Sarkiyayi et al., 2009). Silk
cotton seed however contain 0.3 to 20g/kgDM of a yellow pigment known as gossypol
that is particularly toxic to animals. The general symptoms associated with this anti
nutritional factor (ANF) in poultry are depressed appetite, loss of weight, growth
depression in chicks and discoloration of the egg yolk in layers (Narahari and Asha -
Rajini ,2003), while studies have also shown that saponnin although non toxic can
generate adverse physiological responses in animals that consume them (Iniaghe, 2009).
 PAT 2011; 7 (2): 20-28: ISSN: 0794-5213; Ari et al.: Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed … 21

Other ANFs and bioactive compounds present in silk cotton seed (kapok) as reported
(Diarra, 2010, Edeoga et al., 2006, Akindahunsi and Salawu, 2005, Narahari and Asha-
Rajini ,2003) includes tannins, tyrosines and fatty acids with cyclopropene rings. Some
of these anti-nutrient content (cyanogenic glycoside, trypsin inhibitors, hemagglutinin
inhibitor, phytate and oxalate) in silk cotton seed are of low values (Friday, 2011) which
implies that the plant is safe for human and animal utilization. This is corroborated by
the report of Sarkiyayi et al. (2009) on the acute and chronic toxicity profile studies of
C. pentandra which showed that in all the parameters studied (serum bilirubin, Packed
Cell Volume (PCV) and creatinine ) were within physiological acceptable range.
Even though Narahari and Asha- Rajini (2003) reported the good replacement potentials
of the silk cotton seed cake when kapok seed replaced sunflower meals (SFM) in broiler
feeds, the need for adequate processing to reduce the antinutritional factors in plants
used as human foods and animal feeds was reviewed by Maker and Becker.(1999) and
Soetan and Oyewole (2009). This work was therefore aimed at assessing the
replacement potentials of toasted and untoasted silk cotton seed in soya beans based
broiler diet by evaluating performance indicators for broilers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seeds collection and Processing:
Silk cotton seeds (Ceiba petandra) were obtained from a local market in Kanke Local
Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. The collected seeds were cleaned by
winnowing and hand picking of stones and debris.
The cleaned Silk cotton seeds (Ceiba petandra) were toasted at an approximate
temperature of 100 0C for 30 minutes according to the methods described by Ari (2006).
The dried silk cotton seeds were spread on a clean floor to cool before grinding. The
chemical composition of the toasted and untoasted silk cotton seed samples were
analyzed according to A.O.A.C (2000) method. This forms the basis of experimental
feeds formulation.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
This study was conducted at the teaching and Research unit of livestock complex of
College of Agriculture, Lafia using 120 day –old Anak broiler chicks .The experimental
birds were randomly divided into five (5) treatment groups that were replicated twice.
Treatment 1 which represents the control group were fed 100% soyabean cake (SBC)
based diets , while treatments 2 and 3 were fed 50% replacements of SBC with 50 % of
untoasted (USCS) and toasted silk cotton seeds (TSCS), Treatments 4 and 5 however
represents 100% untoasted and toasted silk cotton seed (Ceiba petandra) replacement of
soyabeans in the broiler diets. The experimental diets were formulated to be isocaloric
 PAT 2011; 7 (2): 20-28: ISSN: 0794-5213; Ari et al.: Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed … 22

and isonitrogenous using a least cost method of feed formulation software feedwin. The
formulated and the determined composition of experimental diets are presented in
Tables 2 and 3 respectively. All management activities were uniformly carried out for
all treatment groups and experimental birds were fed ad libitum throughout the duration
of the experiment.

DATA COLLECTION
The weekly records of average feed consumption, body weight gain, feed gain ratio,
survival percentage and weekly performance index for each for each treatment group
were obtained during the eight week feeding trial. All data collected were subjected to
the analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS for windows 16.0. Duncan’s multiple
range tests was used to separate means which were significantly different.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The chemical composition of the toasted and untoasted silk cotton seed are presented in
Table 1. The results indicated higher Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fibre (CF), ether
Extract (EE) and Nitrogen Free Extract ( NFE) values for untoasted silk cotton seeds
while the ash and mineral content of the seed was improved by toasting. This indicates
that the nutrient content of the silk cotton seed is affected by heat treatment. The CP
values of both the toasted and the untoasted silk cotton seed however differs with the
values (25%) reported by Komolafe et al. (1981) but are consistent with of 30% range
reported elsewhere ( Narahari and Asha -Rajini,2003).
The differences in the performance parameters of the experimental birds fed different
replacement levels of soyabeans with toasted and untoasted silk cotton seed are
presented in Table 4. The average BWG as affected by treatment was significant
(P<0.05) at the starter phase with treatments 1 (574.05 g) and 2 (444.22 g) having the
best values while the lowest value was recorded in treatment 4 (202.71 g). Similar trend
was also observed at the finisher phase for the feed intake with values ranging from
517.24 g for treatment 4 to 880.68 g for treatment 1. A significant (P<0.05) difference
was recorded for Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) with treatment 4 having the lowest
values (1.06) while treatments 1(1.47) and 5 (1.53) had the highest FCR values at the
starter phase. The trend in the finisher phase had treatment 1 (2.05) and treatment 2
(1.93) having the highest FCR values followed by,treatment 3 (1.92 )while treatments 4
and 5 had the lowest (1.90). However treatment effect on the survival percentage among
all treatment groups at the starter phase was not significant. The performance index was
nevertheless significantly (P<0.05) different among treatment groups at the starter phase
with treatments 1 (185.89) and 5 (115.17) having the highest and lowest values
 PAT 2011; 7 (2): 20-28: ISSN: 0794-5213; Ari et al.: Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed … 23

respectively while in the finisher phase treatments 1(203.32) and treatment 2 (166.38)
had higher performance index values and treatment 4(126.27) was lowest.
There were significant (P<0.05) differences in all the parameters measured at the
finisher phase except in the FCR. The best averages were consistently recorded for
treatment 1 having the best, followed by treatment 2 for most of the parameters
measured
The trend of increase in weight gain and feed intake are in the order of usage of
processed silk cotton seed in substituting soyabeans in the experimental diet. These
results have shown that the efficiency of utilization of oil seeds is improved by
removing ANFs (Obioha, 1992; Caine et al., 1998; Maker and Becker, 1999; Narahari
and Asha Rajini, 2003; Singh, 2008, and Dairra et al., 2010) in the inclusion of silk
cotton seed which is in agreement with Komolafe et al (1981). The low feed intake in
treatments with USCS can be accounted for by the adverse physiological responses in
animals that consume them which was similarly observed by Iniaghe, (2009). The low
mortality rate observed in the study is supported by Friday et al (2011) and Sarkiyayi et
al. (2009) and therefore an indication of the potentials of this feed material in the diet of
broilers. This is also an encouraging factor for the production of this plant, as an added
value will be derived from both lint production for the textile industry, medicinal and
seed processing for livestock feed industry.
The combination of soyabeans and silk cotton seed in poultry feeds will bring about a
balance in and nutrient availability. Therefore, 50% replacement of soyabeans with
toasted silk cotton seed is recommended in broiler feeds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors sincerely acknowledgement the support of E.B.N Shwarmen, Auta John
Jatau Funock Bako, Simon David, Monday Mallo and Mrs. Cecilia Manasseh. The
support of the Animal Science Department, College of Agriculture Lafia is also
acknowledged
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TABLE 1: Chemical Composition of Toasted and Untoasted Silk Cotton Seed (Ceiba
Petandra)( g / 100 DM)

Nutrients UNTOASTED TOASTED

Moisture 7.10 3.99
Crude protein 31.97 31.30
Crude Fibre 23.41 17.44
Lipids (FAT) 8.77 25.69
Total Ash 5.54 5.62
Nitrogen free extract 30.31 19.95
Calcium 0.36 0.43
Phosphorus 0.54 0.68
Silica 34.46 45.59

TABLE 2: Gross Composition of the Experimental Diets

INGREDIENTS 0% 50%(UT) 50%(T) 100%(UT) 100%(T)
Bone meal 2.55 2.55 12.5 4.05 3.5
Cassava 12.50 12.50 14.59 9.55 11.55
DL methione 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.20 0.20
Fish meal 3.25 4.25 4.66 3.70 5.00
Lysine (HCL) 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.20 0.20
Limostone 0.75 0.75 0.87 0.25 1.25
Maize 18.90 18.90 14.50 18.5 9.05
Maize bran 5.50 5.50 5.50 9.55 13.00
Rice bran 0.55 0.55 4.00 0.50 9.55
Salt 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
Sorghum 18.25 18.25 18.25 17.50 13.00
Palm oil 2.00 1.50 - 1.50 -
Soyabeans meal 35.00 17.50 17.50 - -
USCS - 17.00 - 34.00 -
TSCS - - 16.63 - 33.25
*Broiler premix 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25
**Calculated
Energy(Keal) 2871 2882 2846 2895 2845
CP(%) 22.82 21.30 2133 19.69 19.55
Price /KG feed (N) 43.2 39.63 37.55 35.09 32.26
*Premix to provide the following per KG of diet: vit A. 10.000 IU: Vit D.2000iu; Vit 2.24mg;riboflavin,5.5mg;
pantotenic acid. 10mg; nicotinic 2.5mg. choline.350mg; folic acid, 2mg; mangense. 56mg; 10mg.50mg; cobalt.
1.25mg **Feedwin Soft ware
 PAT 2011; 7 (2): 20-28: ISSN: 0794-5213; Ari et al.: Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed … 25

Table 3: Chemical Composition of Experimental Diets/100g Dry matter

Starter phase Finisher phase

Nutrients 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5

Dry Matter (%) 92.31 90.36 91.35 89.64 91.21 92.53 92.17 93.18 91.43 93.04

Crude Protein (%) 21.93 20.56 21.60 22.32 21.67 20.64 20.15 21.17 21.87 21.24

Crude Fibre (%) 7.42 7.64 7.49 9.02 7.92 7.51 8.40 8.24 9.92 8.71

Ether Extract (%) 13.12 12.83 13.01 15.58 13.68 12.34 11.42 11.58 13.87 12.18

NFE (%) 33.62 32.3 32.62 24.77 30.93 34.13 30.36 30.66 23.28 29.07

Total ash (%) 16.22 17.03 16.63 17.95 17.01 16.47 16.52 16.13 17.41 16.50

Calcium (%) 1.68 1.58 1.63 1.96 1.72 1.71 1.73 1.79 2.15 1.89

Phosphorous (%) 1.3 1.32 1.31 1.57 1.38 1.32 1.43 1.41 1.70 1.49

Energy*(Kcal/KgME) 3318.75 3188.35 3258.15 3224.235 3258.034 3216.075 2972.21 3038.676 2996.365 3035.667

* Calculated using the method reported by Paul and Southgate (1978)

 PAT 2011; 7 (2): 20-28: ISSN: 0794-5213; Ari et al.: Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed … 26

TABLE 4: Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed based Diets

Initial Body Average Average
Weight Body Feed weight Performance
Treatment gain (g) weight (g) intake (g) Gain FCR Survival (%) Index

Starter
Phase
1 46.09 NS 574.05a 410.41a 278.31a 1.47a 98.50 NS 185.89a
2 45.79 NS 444.22b 278.98b 211.84b 1.32ab 92.50 NS 156.50ab
3 45.07 NS 267.29c 228.93c 198.69b 1.15b 95.99 NS 166.12ab
4 43.48 NS 202.71d 205.12c 194.21b 1.06b 91.08 NS 167.97ab

5 44.48 NS 236.39cd 284.91b 188.81b 1.53a 91.65 NS 115.17b

SEM ±0.46 ±47.41 ±23.86 ±11.75 ±0.07 ±1.28 ±9.48

Finisher
Phase
1 573.00a 2127.75a 880.68a 429.65a 2.05NS 97.00a 203.32a
2 458.72b 1660.81ab 676.16b 449.56b 1.93 NS 90.00b 166.38ab
3 267.29c 1081.39ab 567.08c 296.19c 1.92 NS 88.73bc 137.82bc
4 206.94d 1015.53ab 517.24c 272.40c 1.90 NS 88.18c 126.27c
5 224.89d 1097.71ab 594.25bc 313.82bc 1.90 NS 88.50c 147.14bc
SEM ±48.24 ±148.97 ±43.28 ±18.90 ±0.03 ±1.19 ±9.88

abc means in the same column with the same superscript are not significantly (P>0.05) different
SEM Pooled Standard Error of Mean
NS Not Significant
 PAT 2011; 7 (2): 20-28: ISSN: 0794-5213; Ari et al.: Performance of Broilers Fed Silk Cotton Seed … 27

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