Esuga P.M., Sekoni A.A., Omage J.J., Bawa G.S.
Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Esuga, P.M., Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Sekoni, A.A., Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Omage, J.J., Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Bawa, G.S., Department of Animal Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Palm Kernel Meal (PKM) in diets supplemented with or without enzyme (Maxigarin®) as replacement for Maize in broiler diets. Four hundred and five day old Arbor acres broiler chickens were randomly allotted to nine isonitrogeneous diet where PKM was included in the diet at 10, 20, 30, and 40% levels. Four of the diets contain PKM without Maxigrain® while the other four contained PKM with Maxigrain® supplementation. The Maxigrain® was added to the already formulated diet (supplementation) at 0.01% to four of the nine diets. At the starter phase the final body weight, weight gain and average daily weight gain were significantly (P<0.001) higher in 10% and 20% PKM diets Maxigrain® supplementation compared to other treatments. Feed intake was significantly (P<0.001) higher in the control, 10% and 20% PKM diets with Maxigrain®. The feed : gain ratio was significantly (P<0.001) lower in the 10% PKM diet with Maxigrain® compared to all other treatments. All levels of PKM diets with Maxigrain® were significantly (P<0.001) lower than the corresponding levels without Maxigrain®. The feed cost/kg weight gain were significantly (P<0.001) lower in all PKM diets with and without Maxigrain® compared to the control. At the finisher phase, the final weight, weight gain and average daily weight gain were significantly (P<0.001) higher in the 10% and 20% PKM diets with Maxigrain® compared to all other treatments. Feed intake was significantly (P<0.001) higher in all PKM diets with and without Maxigrain® compared with the control. Feed gain ratio and feed cost/kg weight gain (N) were significantly (P<0.001) lower in the control and all PKM diets with Maxigrain® supplementation compared to all PKM diets without Maxigrain®. The results indicate that Maxigrain® supplementation of PKM diets improved the utilization of PKM. Diets with 10 and 20% inclusion of PKM and Maxigrain® were better than the control maize based diets. The dressed weight, neck, liver, lungs, kidney, abdominal fat, pancrease, spleen and length of intestines were significantly (P<0.001) different across treatments. Similarly, the percentage weight of the breast, thigh, heart and the intestines were significantly (P<0.001) different across treatments with no particular trend established. The drumstick, wings, head and gizzard were significantly (P<0.05) different across treatments. No significant difference in the dressing percentage and the back across the treatments. © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2008.
animal experiment; animal food; article; body weight; carcass; chicken; controlled study; cost benefit analysis; diet supplementation; dietary intake; economic aspect; female; food intake; maize; male; nonhuman; nutrient content; nutrient supply; nutrient uptake; nutritional support; organ weight; weight gain; Gallus gallus; Zea mays