2006 Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages 365-370
The effect of feeding kolanut husk meal (KHM) at five levels (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200g/kg) on growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility of Anak 2000 broiler chicks was investigated. Weight gain and feed/gain were reduced (P<0.05) with increased level of KHM in the diets. Feeding of KHM decreased (P<0.05) nitrogen retention, dry matter, ether extract and ash apparent digestibility of the diets while crude fibre digestibility increased. No significant effect was found for feed intake but protein intake and protein efficiency ratio decreased (P<0.05) with increased KHM in the diets. Alkaline phosphatase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyrurate transaminase and urea increased (P<0.05) with the levels of KHM in the diets while serum protein decreased with increased KHM levels. Carcass measurements indicated a significant (P<0.05) decrease in dressing percent, drumstick, breast and abdominal fat while weight of heart, liver and gizzard increased with KHM inclusion in the diet. Cost of feed reduced (P<0.05) with increased KHM level but the cost of feed per kg weight gain increased.
