Proximate Analysis of Selected Commercial Broiler Feeds in Makurdi metropolis, North-Central Nigeria

Proximate analysis was carried out for some selected commercially available feed samples fed to broiler chickens in Makurdi metropolis. The results of the proximate analysis show the following composition: crude protein value ranged from 22.20 to 24.31% and from 19.46 to 22.19% for broiler starter and broiler finisher feed respectively, with significant differences (P<0.05) among all feed samples. Ether extract ranged from 5.60 to 9.18% and from 6.10 to 10.39% for broiler starter and broiler finisher feed respectively, with significant differences (P<0.01) across all the feed samples, crude fibre content in the starter and finisher feeds ranged from 5.27 to 8.20% and from 6.10 to 10.39% respectively, while ash content was found as 7.42 to 12.21% and from 7.31 to 12.76% for starter and finisher feeds respectively. NFE in starter feed ranged between 39.06 and 48.95% while in finisher feeds it ranged from 40.11 to 48.52%. The metabolizable energy values ranged from 2801.14 to 2951.70 Kcal/kg and 2824.30 to 3026.9 Kcal/kg for broiler starter and broiler finisher feed respectively, with significant differences (P<0.01) across all the feed samples. Commercial poultry feeds available in Makurdi, showed variations in their nutrient contents which were inconsistent with recommended baseline of the National Industrial Standard. It is concluded that frequent monitoring by competent National regulatory authorities are key to ensure feed standardization.