Response of Broiler Chickens to Palm Kernel Cake and Maize Offal Mixed in Different Ratios

Abstract

A total of one hundred and twenty (120) unsexed broiler chickens of 5 days of age averaging 59.50±1.00 grams were randomly allocated into 4 dietary treatments designated I, II, III and IV to evaluate the effect of different ratios of palm kernel cake and maize offal mixed in the ratios of 1:1, 3:1 and 4:1 for treatments II, III and IV respectively and these were compared with the control diet at the starter and finishing phases. Each treatment was replicated 2 times. The results at the starter phase show that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in feed intake and efficiency of feed utilization among birds fed all diets. There were also no significant differences (p>0.05) in feed cost per unit weight gain among birds fed the control diet and those fed the diets which contained 1:1 and 4:1 ratio of palm kernel cake and maize pap offal. However, the results at the finishing phase show that the diet which contained 3:1 ratio of palm kernel cake and maize pap offal significantly increased (p<0.05) feed intake while the diets which contained the ratio of palm kernel cake and maize pap offal of 1:1 and 3:1 significantly (p<0.05) supported better weight gain than other diets. Efficiency of feed utilization and feed cost per unit weight gain were however significantly (p>0.05) influenced by the dietary treatments. On the basis of the results obtained, it may be recommended that a ratio of 1:1 PKC and maize pap offal maybe fed to both starter and finishing broiler chickens without adverse effect on performance.