Feeding of okara meal with or without non-starch polysaccharides degrading enzymes: Effect on growth performance, carcass quality and organoleptic tests of broiler chickens

Day-old broiler chicks (n-220) were individually weighed and divided randomly into five treatment groups (T₁, T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅) each treatment which was further subdivided into four replicates of 11 chicks each. First group was treated as a control ration (T₁) containing groundnut cake (GNC). In groups T₂ and T₃ the GNC of control ration was replaced by Okara meal at 25 and 50 per cent, respectively, on protein equivalent basis. In groups T₄ and T₅ the chicks were offered the same diets as in groups T₂ and T₃, respectively, with addition of NSP degrading enzyme (Provizyme-bro) @ 50 g per 100 kg. Present finding showed that 25 percent replacement of groundnut cake with Okara meal and addition of NSP degrading enzyme (Provizyme-bro) had significant effect on growth performance of birds. The average total feed consumption of six weeks were statistically non-significant (P>0.05) among the various groups. The average total body weight gain and average daily weight gain in birds of group T₄ were significantly higher (P<0.01) than birds of other groups except T₃ group. The FCR and PER among all treatment groups were non-significant (P>0.05). Pre-slaughter and dressed weights were significantly higher in chicks fed Okara meal containing diets. The giblets weight, non-edible weight, dressing percentage, giblets percentage and non-edible percentage did not differ significantly among the five treatment groups. The findings indicated that inclusion of Okara meal had no adverse effect on meat quality of chickens. The organoleptic test scores revealed that quality of meat in respect of colour, odour/flavor, texture, tenderness, juiciness and taste did not differ significantly (P>0.05) among the five groups. The findings indicated that meat quality was not adversely affected by the including Okara meal in the diet. The findings indicated that 25 percent replacement of groundnut cake with Okara meal and addition of non-starch polysaccharides degrading enzyme had positive effect on growth performance, carcass quality and organoleptic tests of birds.