Effect of Processing and Partial Substitution of Baobab Seed Meal on Commercial Ross Broilers’ Growth Performance

Authors

  • Pauline Matambo Great Zimbabwe University, Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo; and Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Department of Veterinary Field Services, Beitbridge
  • Tinotenda Nhovoro Great Zimbabwe University, Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo
  • Rumbidzai Blessing Nhara University of Zimbabwe, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Systems, Department of Livestock Science, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
  • Faith Matiza Ruzengwe Great Zimbabwe University, Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo
  • Tinoziva Hungwe Great Zimbabwe University, Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo
  • Prosper Bright Muvhuringi Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Management, Mashonaland Central Region, 209 Hayroad, Bindura, Zimbabwe
  • Jameson Madzana Great Zimbabwe University, Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo
  • Tendai Mujati Zimbabwe Open University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural management, Masvingo Regional campus, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
  • Ngavaite Chigede Great Zimbabwe University, Gary Magadzire School of Agriculture and Engineering, Department of Livestock, Wildlife and Fisheries, P.O. Box 1235, Masvingo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3329/ralf.v12i3.86176

Keywords:

Anti-nutritional factors, Ash-treated, Carcass, Non-competing, Three-phase feed

Abstract

The increasing global population and climate-related challenges have intensified the search for alternative, non-competing protein sources to replace conventional feed proteins. This study evaluated the effects of partially substituting roasted soybean meal with baobab seed meal on growth performance and carcass characteristics of commercial Ross broiler chickens in Tongwe, Ward 4, Beitbridge District, Zimbabwe. A completely randomized design (CRD) was used with two iso-nitrogenous dietary treatments, each replicated six times with eight birds per replicate. Sorghum served as the primary energy source, while soybean and baobab seed meals provided protein. Sorghum was ash-treated to reduce tannins, soybeans were roasted to inactivate trypsin inhibitors, and baobab seeds were boiled for one hour to reduce tannins and phytates. Feed formulation was carried out using FeedSoft software to achieve crude protein levels of 20% in grower and 18% in finisher diets. After six weeks, no significant differences (p = 0.7) were observed in live body weight between treatments. Meat taste and carcass color parameters also showed no notable differences. The study concludes that partial replacement of soybean meal with baobab seed meal during the finisher phase is feasible without compromising broiler growth performance, meat quality, or carcass color. Further research is recommended to assess the protein quality and optimal inclusion levels of baobab seed meal.

Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 12, No. 3, December 2025: 455-464

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Published

2025-12-28

How to Cite

Pauline Matambo, Tinotenda Nhovoro, Rumbidzai Blessing Nhara, Faith Matiza Ruzengwe, Tinoziva Hungwe, Prosper Bright Muvhuringi, … Ngavaite Chigede. (2025). Effect of Processing and Partial Substitution of Baobab Seed Meal on Commercial Ross Broilers’ Growth Performance . Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries, 12(3), 455–464. https://doi.org/10.3329/ralf.v12i3.86176

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Livestock

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Pauline Matambo, Tinotenda Nhovoro, Rumbidzai Blessing Nhara, Faith Matiza Ruzengwe, Tinoziva Hungwe, Prosper Bright Muvhuringi, Jameson Madzana, Tendai Mujati, Ngavaite Chigede

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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