Nutritional value of three cultivars of cowpea bean (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) as the main protein source in poultry diets

Two experiments on broilers and one on layers were conducted to determine the nutritional value of three cultivars of cowpea bean in poultry diets. Results of the first broiler experiment revealed that there was no interaction between cultivars and level of CBM [cowpea bean meal] on the weekly cumulative body weight gain, feed consumption and feed efficiency of broilers. Likewise, the different cowpea cultivars did not significantly affect the parameters mentioned. On the third week of the feeding period, inclusion of 30 percent CBM in the diet significantly depressed the feed efficiency of broilers. The second broiler experiment showed that the body weight gain and dressing percentage of the broilers were not influenced by increased level of CBM in the diets. Except on the fourth week, CBM levels had no significant effect on feed consumption of broilers. However, feed efficiency of the broilers was significantly but not consistently depressed with increased CBM level in the diets (P.05). Increased level of CBM in the diets did not significantly influence the monthly and overall egg production rate, egg weight and feed efficiency of the pullets. Likewise, there was no significant effect of the level of CBM in the diets on the average shell thickness of egg produced and body weight gain of the pullets. Except on the third week, the average monthly feed consumption of the pullets was significantly influenced by the level of CBM in the diets (P.05). The overall average feed consumption of the pullets however was not significantly influenced by the level of CBM in the diets. At CBM costs of P15 and P8.50 per kilogram the income above feed and chick cost was higher from broilers fed corn-soya-based diet (control) than from those fed diets with any level of CBM. Pullets fed diet with 10 percent CBM gave the highest income above feed cost from sales of eggs produced than those fed diets with higher levels of CBM and control diet