Raw Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Seedmeal: Effect on Growth Performance, Organ Weight, Carcass Yield, and Economic Production of Guinea Fowl Keets

Abstract

Ensuring food security and sustainable agriculture is vital as the global population expands, leading to increased protein demand. However, competitive demand for feed ingredients such as maize and soybeans has driven up costs. As a result, alternative feed sources, including Jackfruit by-products like seeds, have been explored. This study aimed to assess the effects of incorporating raw jackfruit seedmeal (JSM) into the diet of guinea fowl keets, specifically regarding growth performance, carcass yield, organ weights, and economic production. The seven-week study involved 120 keets divided into different treatments, each replicated three times. Treatments 2, 3, and 4 included JSM at 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, while treatment one served as the control without JSM. Increasing the level of JSM resulted in a consistent decline in all relevant indicators, as observed through proximate analysis. Treatment four, which included 20% JSM, exhibited the best performance in terms of final weight (745g) and daily weight gain (15g). Notably, the gizzard was the most significant parameter among carcass features, with treatment four showing the highest value (3.95%), while the control diet had the lowest value (2.83%). Diets containing 15% and 20% JSM had the most favorable outcomes in terms of feed cost per weight gain, with the 20% JSM diet demonstrating the highest gross margin and revenue. Importantly, dietary inclusion of JSM did not significantly impact the performance of guinea fowl keets, and incorporating 20% JSM into their diet resulted in a significant increase in productivity and feed utilization.