Utilization of Melon Husk with Wild Mushroom (Ganoderma sp) and Enzyme Supplement: Effect on Performance of Broiler Chicken

Melon husks are shells usually discarded in large quantities (tonnage) as agricultural waste materials in different parts of Nasarawa State in Nigeria, thereby polluting the environment. An experiment was therefore conducted to determine the nutritional value and effect of utilizing melon husks meal in broiler diets as feed ingredient with or without wild mushroom (Ganoderma sp) and exogenous enzyme supplement. Melon husks were collected from Nasarawa Local Government Area of Nasarawa State and milled into powder (meal) for inclusion at 10% and 15% w/w in broiler starter and finisher mash feed, respectively. Broiler starter (23% crude protein) and finisher (20% crude protein), melon husks and the wild mushroom were subjected to proximate analysis. Feeding trials was carried out for 56 days on broiler chickens (Marshal Hybrid), procured at day old from a commercial hatchery in Nigeria. The chicks were randomly distributed into different dietary treatments, group T1–T7 (10 chicks each) in duplicate. Group T1 represent broiler chicks fed with diet 1 (0% melon husks, no enzyme, no mushroom) as control for comparison, T2 = diet 2 (10% melon husks, no enzyme, no mushroom), T3 = diet 3 (10% melon husks supplemented with mushroom, no enzyme), T4 = diet 4 (10% melon husks supplemented with enzyme, no mushroom), T5 = diet 5 (15% melon husks, no enzyme, no mushroom), T6 = diet 6 (15% melon husks supplemented with mushroom, no enzyme), T7 = diet 7 (15% melon husks supplemented with enzyme, no mushroom). The birds were reared on deep litter system of management and feed and water was provided, ad libitum. Daily average feed intake and body weight gain were monitored and evaluated. The results showed that melon husks meal and wild mushroom contained valuable amounts of essential nutrients (protein, fibre, minerals, fat and fatty acids). Dietary inclusion of melon husk in broiler diets with or without the wild Ganoderma and enzyme supplement did not significantly affect feed intake and weight gain (P>0.05). However, broilers fed 10% melon husk inclusion rate with wild Ganoderma supplement had improved feed intake and weight gain. It was therefore concluded that melon husks could be utilized as valuable feed ingredient in broiler diets with either wild Ganoderma or enzyme supplements.