Mineral Uptake of Broiler Chicken Fed Palm Kernel Shell Ash as a Mineral Supplement in Finisher Ration

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the mineral uptake of broiler whose diets were supplemented with palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) as a mineral supplement using faecal mineral composition as indicators of mineral uptake by the birds. Ninety six Arbor Acre day old chicks were randomly assigned in triplicates of eight birds per replicate to four experimental diets containing graded levels of PKSA at 0, 5, 10 and 15 kg/ton. Results obtained showed that there was a lowering of most mineral concentrations below the control in the experimental diets while Cu and Mg were increased. The faecal mineral concentrations recorded in this study tend to suggest that there is accumulation and concentration of higher levels of minerals in the faeces, more than the levels found in the diets. Faecal Mg, K, Cu and Zn concentrations of PKSA treated birds were higher than the control values, while those of Ca, Na, Mn, Fe and P reduced as a result of PKSA inclusion in the diets. PKSA could serve as potential sources of absorbable mineral supplements and also could improve mineral uptake from commercial diets offered to broilers.