Effects Of Different Control Strategies On Maize Plant Recovery And Yield After Fall Armyworm Infestation

Abstract

The study investigated the effect of increasing dietary fibre levels and varying maize particle size on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, gut morphogenesis and immune status of broilers. Three hundred Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to six dietary treatments in a 2 X 3 factorial arrangement (two maize particle sizes and three levels of wheat bran inclusion). Each treatment was replicated five times with ten broilers per replicate and the trial lasted for 49 days. Treatments 1 (T1), 2 (T2; control diet) and 3 (T3) contained fine maize particles with treatments 4 (T4), 5 (T5) and 6 (T6) containing coarse maize particles. Birds on T1 and T4, T2 and T5, and T3 and T6 were fed 6, 8 and 10% wheat bran respectively from day one to 21. Wheat bran inclusion from day 22 to 42 increased to 13, 15 and 17% for birds on T1 and T4, T2 and T5, and T3 and T6 respectively. There were no significant differences (p≥0.05) in nutrient digestibility among treatments. Overall, average daily feed intake increased for broilers on T4 (107.15g) with no dietary treatment effect being observed on average daily gain and final body weight. However, broilers fed coarse maize particles were the most efficient in converting feed to gain. The relative empty gizzard weight of broilers fed coarse maize particles was significantly higher (p≤0.05) than that of broilers fed fine maize particles. No significant differences (p≥0.05) were observed in relative carcass weights, caecal short-chain fatty acid concentrations, haematological indices and serum glucose content. Averagely, concentration of acetic acid in the caecum (8147.14 μg/g) was the highest compared with the other short-chain fatty acids. Results of this study indicate that birds can tolerate diets containing up to 17% (finisher phase) WB with fine or coarse maize particles without any adverse effect on growth, gut health and immune status. Feed manufacturers can include up to 17% WB (finisher phase) with fine or coarse particles in broiler diets in order to cut down feed cost with no adverse effect on broiler performance and gut health.