CUPUAÇU SEED FLOUR (Theobroma grandiflorum) IN THE FEEDING OF SLOW-GROWING BROILERS
carcass yield, digestibility, feed efficiency, performance
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using cupuaçu seed flour in the feeding of slow-growing brilers and its effects on digestibility, performance, carcass and organ yield, and economic evaluation. The study was conducted in the experimental aviary of the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia, Parauapebas campus - PA, where a digestibility, performance, and economic evaluation experiment were carried out. For the digestibility experiment, 128 animals were used in metabolic cages (0.44 m x 0.51 m), fed with 2 diets, a reference diet based on corn and soybean meal and a reference diet plus 30% cupuaçu seed flour, where the animals were fed ad libitum and total excreta collection was performed for subsequent analysis of DM, CP, EB, and EE. For performance, 168 slow-growing commercial Carijó lineage broilers were distributed in a completely randomized experimental design (CRD) in four treatments with different inclusion levels (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) of cupuaçu seed flour in the diet in the initial, growth and finishing phases. The animals were raised in accordance with ABNT standards for free-range broilers production, with feed intake (CR), weight gain (GP) and feed conversion (CA) calculated. At 72 days of age after weighing, followed by fasting and weighing of the animals in fasting, they were slaughtered and data were obtained for calculating carcass and cut yield. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in CA at 28 days, GP at 70 days, CR in the period between 14-70 days, CR at 28 and CA at 56. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) for the other performance variables, carcass yield and cuts. Regarding organ yield, a significant linear difference was observed in pancreas yield. The economic evaluation through MBR and value (R$) of the kg of chicken produced revealed the possibility of economic use of FSC at up to 50 g/kg and 100 g/kg of feed respectively in the initial and growth phases.