Abstract:

An experiment was conducted to determine the infjuence of
cowpeas on the performance and health of broiler
chicks were used in this study. Th --/ore andouily
eight birds per cage. Tlie cages,
duplicate so that each treatment group
c r.tni processe
broilerbatten1 cages with
ed to three isonitregeaotss isocaloriC diets in
following diets: T1 (control diet - corn- < 2 (20% of
cowpea). The results showed no effect cf nine days on the ?)% of roasted introl diet on weight
gain, feed gain or cumulative period perior 9, significantly higher
weight gain was observed in chicks fed on raw cowpeas comparcher roasted cowpeas or the
control diet (P<0.05). Feed conversion and cumulative performance indices did not differ between
groups fed on the control diet or raw cowpeas, but chicks fed
on roasted cowpeas performed
significantly poorer by day 9 (P<0.05). Although the raw cowpeas supported optimal growth in the
chicks, histopathology indicated that the raw cowpeas were associated with inflammation of the
duodenum. Gut morphology indicated that on clay 5 duodenal crypt depth
was significantly
greater in birds fed on roasted cowpeas compared with the other two treatments. The differences
between treatments in villus length, width, crypt depth, or muscle appearance were not apparent
by day 9. Gastrointestinal viscosity was higher in the group fed on T3 compared with T1 and T2.
Although these results are contrary to expectations, there was no indication of over processing/
overcooking of the cowpeas that may have decreased protein quality. Data suggest that 20% of
raw Mozambican cowpeas can be incorporated into broiler starter diets with no negative effects on growth or feed conservation.