Growth performances of broiler chickens fed on palm kernel meal based diet supplemented with spirulina and amino acids

This study was assigned to assess the effect palm kernel meal as protein source in broiler chickens diet. The experimental rations consisted of replacing soybean meal by palm kernel meal at the rates of ۵۰, ۷۵ and ۱۰۰ percent supplemented with lysine-methionine and spirulina and a control ration without palm kernel meal. The main results revealed that, all the growth parameters decreased with increasing rate of substitution of soybean meal with palm kernel meal. Compared to the control ration containing soybean meal as main protein source, feed conversion ratio increased by ۲۵.۹۷; ۳۹.۳۹ and ۷۱.۴۳ % with lysine-methionine mixture and by ۴۰.۳۴; ۵۳.۲۲ and ۶۲.۶۶% with spirulina in rations containing ۵۰, ۷۵ and ۱۰۰ % palm kernel meal respectively. Carcass yield globally decreased, with the exception of carcass yields with ۷۵% palm kernel meal supplemented with lysine-methionine that increased by ۳.۴۸ % compared to the control ration. The relative weight of the legs, head and digestive organs increased with increasing rate of palm kernel meal in feed regardless of the supplement. The lowest cost of production was recorded with spirulina compared to lysine-methionine regardless of the level of incorporation of palm kernel meal in feed. In conclusion, using large quantities of palm kernel meal even enriched with amino acids or proteins rich resources is not profitable to broiler chickens.This study was assigned to assess the effect palm kernel meal as protein source in broiler chickens diet. The experimental rations consisted of replacing soybean meal by palm kernel meal at the rates of ۵۰, ۷۵ and ۱۰۰ percent supplemented with lysine-methionine and spirulina and a control ration without palm kernel meal. The main results revealed that, all the growth parameters decreased with increasing rate of substitution of soybean meal with palm kernel meal. Compared to the control ration containing soybean meal as main protein source, feed conversion ratio increased by ۲۵.۹۷; ۳۹.۳۹ and ۷۱.۴۳ % with lysine-methionine mixture and by ۴۰.۳۴; ۵۳.۲۲ and ۶۲.۶۶% with spirulina in rations containing ۵۰, ۷۵ and ۱۰۰ % palm kernel meal respectively. Carcass yield globally decreased, with the exception of carcass yields with ۷۵% palm kernel meal supplemented with lysine-methionine that increased by ۳.۴۸ % compared to the control ration. The relative weight of the legs, head and digestive organs increased with increasing rate of palm kernel meal in feed regardless of the supplement. The lowest cost of production was recorded with spirulina compared to lysine-methionine regardless of the level of incorporation of palm kernel meal in feed. In conclusion, using large quantities of palm kernel meal even enriched with amino acids or proteins rich resources is not profitable to broiler chickens.

Keywords:

Broiler chicken , Growth performance , Lysine-methionine , Spirulina , Soybean meal , Palm kernel meal