STUDIES ON NUTRITIVE VALUE AND UTILIZATION OF PALM KERNEL MEAL (Elaeis guineensis) FOR CHICKEN
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Date
2011-01
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Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, TIRUPATI – 517 502,A.P
Abstract
ABSTRACT :
A study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive
value and utilization of palm kernel (Elaeis guineensis)
meal on the performance of broilers and layers. Palm
kernel meal (PKM) contained 15.32, 1.75, 14.39, 4.35 and
64.19 per cent crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre,
total ash and nitrogen free extract respectively on dry
matter basis. The palm kernel meal contained 1892
K.cal/kg of metabolizable energy.
Among the minerals, calcium, phosphorus,
sodium, magnesium and potassium were 0.49, 0.68,
0.064, 0.58 and 0.48 g/kg where as copper, magnesium,
zinc and iron were 15.47, 63.20, 18.45 and 469.5 mg/kg
respectively on dry matter basis present in palm kernel
meal.
The critical amino acids like lysine, methionine,
glycine and arginine were 0.44, 0.29, 0.72 and 1.96 per
cent respectively on dry matter basis present in palm
kernel meal.
The first experiment was conducted with palm
kernel meal at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 per cent either
alone or in combination with enzymes in nine dietary
treatments to study the performance of broilers.
The body weight gain was not significantly
affected in broilers during starter, finisher and overall
periods although better weight gain was noticed in the
groups fed palm kernel meal at 7.5 per cent with enzymes
supplementation (T7) compared to control (T1) group
throughout the experimental period.
The feed intake was not affected among different
dietary treatments, groups during all the growth periods.
However, the feed intake was apparently more in broilers
fed 15 per cent palm kernel meal without enzymes (T8
group) compared to control group (T1).
The feed efficiency was not significantly affected
during starter phase, but it was affected significantly
(P<0.01) among different groups during finisher and entire
period. Better feed efficiency and the feed cost per kg live
weight gain was less in broilers fed 7.5 per cent palm
kernel meal with enzymes (T7 group) compared to all other
groups.
The different inclusion levels of palm kernel meal
either alone or in combination with enzymes in broiler
diets did not influence the carcass traits, total serum
protein, serum alkaline phosphatase and antibody titres
for Newcastle disease vaccination compared to control
group.
In the second experiment, palm kernel meal was
included in layer diets at 0, 3.5, 7.5, 11.25 and 15.0 per
cent to replace de-oiled rice bran (DORB) by 0, 25,50, 75
and 100 per cent respectively with or without enzymes
supplementation. Each diet was tested in quadruplicate
groups of 6 layers each and a total of 216 layers were
used in the experiment. This study was carried out for 10
laying periods of 28 days each in cages.
The performance of layers in terms of hen-day egg
production and feed efficiency were influenced
significantly (P<0.01) whereas feed intake and body
weights were not affected by the inclusion of palm kernel
meal in the diets upto 15 per cent with or without
enzymes supplementation. Furthermore, the egg weight,
shell thickness, albumen index, yolk index, haugh unit,
total serum protein, serum alkaline phosphatase and
antibody titres for Newcastle disease were not affected.
The income over feed cost per dozen eggs was
higher in layers fed ration containing palm kernel meal at
7.5 per cent along with enzymes than all other
treatments.
Mortality and causes thereof were found to be independent of dietary treatments both in broilers and
layers.
It is inferred that palm kernel meal could be
incorporated upto 10 and 15 per cent without enzymes in
broilers and layer diets respectively without affecting their
performance. However, palm kernel meal with enzymes at
7.5 per cent was proved to be better in terms of economic
production of broilers and layers.