PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF BROILER CHICKENS FED RUMEN FILTRATE FERMENTED RICE HUSK

Abstract

This research was carried out to evaluate the performance of broiler chickens fed rumen filtrate fermented rice husk. One-hundred and fifty broiler chicken were used. The rumen filtrate treated rice husk meals were included at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% to form diets D 1, D 2, D 3, D 4, and D 5, respectively. The broiler chickens were randomly distributed to five treatments groups. Each treatment was replicates into three having ten birds per replicate. Clean water and feed were provided adequately during the experiment under a deep litter system. Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used. At the end of the experiment, nutrient digestibility trial was conducted. One Way Analysis of Variance was used to analysed data collected on feed intake, body weight, weight gain and feed conversion. The results revealed no significant (p>0.05) differences in live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and mortality. However, the growth rate was influenced (P<0.05) by the dietary treatments. Apparent digestibility results showed that dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre and ether extract digestibility were influenced (P<0.05) by dietary treatments. The results obtained in this study indicated that dietary inclusion of fermented rice husk meal supported a superior performance of chicks and can be included in the diets of broiler chickens up to 20 % without observable detrimental effects.