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Abstract
Berepubo, N.A., Mepba, H.D., Agboola, O.J. and Onianwah, R.I. 1995. Inclusion rate and true metabolizable energy of palm kernal cake in broiler chicken diets in a humid tropical environment. J. Appl. Anim. Res., 7: 27–34.
A study was undertaken to determine the true metabolizable energy (TME) and the relative bioeconomic inclusion rate of palm kernel cake (PKC) (0, 5, 10, 15 or 20%) in five broiler finisher rations (A-E) in a humid tropical environment in Nigeria. Ninety broiler birds (aged 5 weeks) were randomly but equally assigned to the five rations for 6 weeks. The birds were given water and feed ad libitum except for the period of faecal collection for endogenous N and energy estimations of the diets. Fractions of the diets were also subjected to proximate analysis and TME determination. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the proximate analysis of control, experimental diets and whole palm kernel cake (PKC) except that at 15% PKC inclusion rate TME value was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control diet. Data obtained on feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, mean final live weight and weekly body weight gain were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Nevertheless, data on the TME values suggest that 15% PKC inclusion could be the optimum requirement in broiler finisher diets. Inclusion of PKC in the diets was more economical and spared other feed ingredients required by human beings.