Growth Performance and Feed Conversion Efficiency of Indigenous Chicken Fed on Diet Supplemented with Termites (Macrotermes bellicosus)

In view of the emerging challenges climate change and population growth, need to ensure consumer health safety among other factors is paramount; this practice has not been standardised, risks impacts on environment arising from are known. While global consumption chicken products especially meat drastically increased over years trend expected continue. Much increase in demand developing countries coupled with for four traditional feed ingredients; maise meal, soya bean fish meal. all three poultry production systems that extensive, semi-intensive intensive, a wide range alternative feedstuffs should be available use. Expanding populations will create greater products, importance industry resources increase. This therefore calls enhance efforts towards productivity. study, therefore, evaluated growth performance, conversion efficiency, cost-effectiveness supplementation termite Macrotermes bellicosus indigenous diets. Three groups twenty IC were placed diets comprising prepared feeds different inclusion levels (0%, 2.5% 5%) each group six weeks. Results reveal provides high crude protein content (43.36%), which leads enhanced weight gain but no significant differences FCR ICs compared conventional feeds. Supplementation at offers varying outcomes regarding intake: diet T3 had lower intake T2 registered higher FBW SGR. The use termites contributes smallholder farms’ food security by providing cheaper commercial feeds; also increases market value IC, thus, increasing profitability