Slaughter yield, organ weight, abdominal fat, and consumer preference of noiler chicken on a diet with cashew kernel waste meal

Abstract

The cashew nut industry produces cashew kernel waste meal (CKWM), a nutrient-rich by-product high in protein. CKWM has shown promise as a feed component for laying hens and broiler chickens. This study aimed at determining the slaughter yield, organ weight, abdominal fat, and consumer preference of noiler chicken on diets with cashew kernel waste meals. 270-day-old noiler chicks were randomly separated into five groups, with six replicates of 9 birds each. The treatment groups (W2, W3, W4, and W5) were fed diets with 5.0%, 10.0%, 15.0%, and 20.0% inclusion of cashew kernel waste meal, while the control group (W1) received a diet devoid of CKWM. The boilers were slaughtered on the 56th (last) day of the study, and their slaughter yield, organ weight, abdominal fat, and organoleptic attributes were assessed. The outcome revealed that the CKWM in the diets of noiler birds significantly affected (p < 0.05) their slaughter yield, organ weight, abdominal fat, and overall acceptability. Except for live weight, eviscerated weight, neck, and shank, the results of the slaughter yield showed significant differences (p < 0.05). All organ weights differ significantly (p < 0.05) except the pancreas. All the organoleptic properties except the overall acceptability were not influenced (p > 0.05). Comparing the results obtained with the different inclusion levels, diets with 5.0% CKWM inclusion had higher bled weight, dressing weight, drumstick, breast, and back weight, while up to 20.0% was tolerable for gizzard and spleen weight, abdominal fat, and acceptance. Thus 5.00% CKWM is recommended for improved slaughter yield and while up to 20.0% is acceptable for abdominal fat and consumer acceptance.