Effects of High Dietary Levels of Palm Kernel Cake on Performance and Cost of Production of Starter Broilers

F. C. Egenuka; N. A. Ndubuisi; T. C. Iwuji; P. C.  Okere; N. J. Okeudo

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.5233

Authors

F. C. Egenuka Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
N. A. Ndubuisi Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
T. C. Iwuji Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
P. C. Okere Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
N. J. Okeudo Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.5233

Keywords:

Palm kernel cake, starter broilers, performance, cost implications

Abstract

A total of one hundred and forty-four (144), 7–day old broilers of Marshal Breed which have been raised on proprietary broiler starter mash for one week were used in this experiment to investigate the effects of high dietary inclusion levels of palm kernel cake (PKC) on performance and cost of production of producing starter broilers. Four dietary treatments designated as T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ were used such that T₁ (control diet) contained 0% PKC; diets 2, 3 and 4 contained 10, 20 and 30% PKC levels, respectively. Each treatment group was allotted 36 broiler chicks and was subdivided into 3 replicates of 12 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The experiment lasted 3 weeks. Results of the experiment showed that differences in PKC levels did not affect (p>0.05)any of the performance data but the cost of feed consumed significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increase in PKC levels. It was concluded that starter broilers could be fed 30% PKC diets with significantly reduced feed cost and no adverse effect on performance data.