EVALUATION OF FERMENTED PALM KERNEL MEAL AND FERMENTED COPRA MEAL PROTEINS AS SUBSTITUTE FOR SOYBEAN MEAL PROTEIN IN LAYING HENS DIETS

Two hundred and ten (210) laying hens of Black Harco breed at 37 weeks in lay were fed experimental layer diets, in which fermented palm kernel meal (PKM) and copra meal (CM) were used independently to substitute for soybean meal (SBM) on protein content basis at 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%, to give seven treatments in a completely randomized design feeding trial that lasted 12 weeks. Performance characteristics and some haematological indices were evaluated in this study. Fermentation for seven days increased the crude protein of PKM (from 20.04% to 23.42%) and that of CM (from 19.63% to 23.11%). The crude fibre of the fermented PKM and CM decreased (from 15.47% to 12.44 % and 16.00% to 11.63% respectively). The feed intake (FI) was significantly highest (P<0.05) for laying hens fed 75% PKM substitution for SBM (126.06g) but lowest for those on 25% CM (115.02g). Birds fed 75% PKM had the highest (P<0.05) body weight gain (1.73g) while those on 25% CM recorded the lowest (1.50g). Hen-day production was significantly highest (P<0.05) in the control group (72.42%) but similar with the values of 69.37%, 70.35% and 69.53% recorded by laying hens fed diets containing 50% PKM, 25% CM and 75% CM respectively. Hens fed 50% CM had the highest egg shape index (0.68) while those on 75% PKM recorded the lowest value of 0.65. The control diet had the highest feed cost per kilogramme (kg) (N57.99) while 75% CM had the lowest (N46.51). Feed cost per number of egg produced was highest (P<0.05) in the control (N1.78) and similar with the values obtained for laying hens fed CM at 25%, 50% and 75% which are N1.80, N1.79 and N1.74 respectively. The compared values of PKM and CM at corresponding levels of substitution using t-test indicated significant increase (P<0.05) in FI for PKM at all levels of substitution for SBM (121.74g at 25%, 126.56g at 50% and 126.06g at 75%) over the values of 115.02g, 121.18g and 124.96g for the respective dietary substitution levels of CM at 25%, 50% and 75%. Body weight gain was higher (P<0.05) for hens on 25% PKM (1.60g) and 75% PKM (1.73g) inclusion over those on CM (1.50g and 1.58g respectively). Hen day production was consistently higher (P<0.05) in laying hens fed CM at 25%, 50% and 75% replacement for SBM than those on PKM with corresponding values of 70.35%, 69.53% and 69.09%. The highest (P<0.05) serum total protein (6.60g/dl) and serum albumin (4.60g/dl) were obtained from hens fed 75% PKM and 50% PKM respectively while the control had the lowest (4.85g/dl and 4.60g/dl). Serum globulin of 1.65g/dl was highest (P0.05) by the substitution of PKM and CM for SBM. The study showed that SBM protein could be substituted optimally at 50% by either PKM or CM protein

TROPICAL VEGETABLE (AMARANTHUS CRUENTUS) LEAF MEAL AS ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT IN BROILER STARTER DIETS: BIONUTRITIONAL EVALUATION

Amaranthus cruentus is a tropical leaf vegetable grown in most tropical regions of the world for its vegetable protein. The fresh matured leaves of the plant were harvested and sun dried until a moisture content of between 12-13% was obtained. The sun dried leaves (Amaranthus cruentus leaf meal, ACLM) were milled and analysed for their proximate composition. Crude protein was 23.0%+0.55; crude fat, 5.4%+0.01; crude fibre, 8.8%+0.02; ash, 19.3%+0.01 and gross energy, 3.3+0.01kcal/g all on dry matter basis. Methionine and to a lesser extent, lysine, arginine, leucine and aspartate were high. The ACLM was incorporated into five formulated broiler starter diets at varying inclusion levels. The control diet 1 had no ACLM inclusion. All the six diets including control diet 1 were formulated isocaloric and isonitrogenous and fed to the experimental chicks (n = 540). Birds kept on diet 2 (5% ACLM inclusion level) had the best average weight gain (WG) of 372.9+29.94g/chick. The feed efficiency (FE) value and the protein efficiency ratio (PER) for birds on diet 2 were similar (P > 0.05) to values obtained for the reference diet. The nitrogen retention (NR) and apparent nitrogen digestibility (AND) values obtained for diet 2 were highest at 1.48+0.24gN/chick/day and 63.12%+10.28, respectively. Except for dressed weight and the back of chicken all the organs weights taken were similar (P > 0.05). Haematological examinations were similar (P > 0.05). Results generally indicated that ACLM could be a useful dietary protein source for broiler starter chicks at 5% inclusion level

EVALUATION OF FERMENTED PALM KERNEL MEAL AND FERMENTED COPRA MEAL PROTEINS AS SUBSTITUTE FOR SOYBEAN MEAL PROTEIN IN LAYING HENS DIETS

Two hundred and ten (210) laying hens of Black Harco breed at 37 weeks in lay were fed experimental layer diets, in which fermented palm kernel meal (PKM) and copra meal (CM) were used independently to substitute for soybean meal (SBM) on protein content basis at 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%, to give seven treatments in a completely randomized design feeding trial that lasted 12 weeks. Performance characteristics and some haematological indices were evaluated in this study. Fermentation for seven days increased the crude protein of PKM (from 20.04% to 23.42%) and that of CM (from 19.63% to 23.11%). The crude fibre of the fermented PKM and CM decreased (from 15.47% to 12.44 % and 16.00% to 11.63% respectively). The feed intake (FI) was significantly highest (P<0.05) for laying hens fed 75% PKM substitution for SBM (126.06g) but lowest for those on 25% CM (115.02g). Birds fed 75% PKM had the highest (P<0.05) body weight gain (1.73g) while those on 25% CM recorded the lowest (1.50g). Hen-day production was significantly highest (P<0.05) in the control group (72.42%) but similar with the values of 69.37%, 70.35% and 69.53% recorded by laying hens fed diets containing 50% PKM, 25% CM and 75% CM respectively. Hens fed 50% CM had the highest egg shape index (0.68) while those on 75% PKM recorded the lowest value of 0.65. The control diet had the highest feed cost per kilogramme (kg) (N57.99) while 75% CM had the lowest (N46.51). Feed cost per number of egg produced was highest (P<0.05) in the control (N1.78) and similar with the values obtained for laying hens fed CM at 25%, 50% and 75% which are N1.80, N1.79 and N1.74 respectively. The compared values of PKM and CM at corresponding levels of substitution using t-test indicated significant increase (P<0.05) in FI for PKM at all levels of substitution for SBM (121.74g at 25%, 126.56g at 50% and 126.06g at 75%) over the values of 115.02g, 121.18g and 124.96g for the respective dietary substitution levels of CM at 25%, 50% and 75%. Body weight gain was higher (P<0.05) for hens on 25% PKM (1.60g) and 75% PKM (1.73g) inclusion over those on CM (1.50g and 1.58g respectively). Hen day production was consistently higher (P<0.05) in laying hens fed CM at 25%, 50% and 75% replacement for SBM than those on PKM with corresponding values of 70.35%, 69.53% and 69.09%. The highest (P<0.05) serum total protein (6.60g/dl) and serum albumin (4.60g/dl) were obtained from hens fed 75% PKM and 50% PKM respectively while the control had the lowest (4.85g/dl and 4.60g/dl). Serum globulin of 1.65g/dl was highest (P0.05) by the substitution of PKM and CM for SBM. The study showed that SBM protein could be substituted optimally at 50% by either PKM or CM protein

Amaranthus Cruentus Leaf Meal As A Protein Supplement In Broiler Finisher Diets Part 1. Performance And Nitrogen Utilization

Freshly harvested mature leaves of Amaranthus cruentus plant were sun dried to a moisture content of between 12-13%. The sun dried leaves (Amaranthus cruentus leaf meal, ACLM) were milled and analysed for proximate composition. Some inherent antinutritional factors (ANFs) such as phytic acid and oxalate were determined. The mean and standard deviation (mean ± SD) for crude protein was 23.0%±0.55; crude fat, 5.4%±0.01; crude fibre, 8.8%±0.02; ash, 19.3%±0.01 and gross energy, 3.3±0.01kcal/g all on dry matter basis. Methionine and to a lesser extent, lysine, arginine, leucine and aspartate were high compared with other plant sources. Essential mineral elements such as Ca, P, K, Na, Mg, Fe, Mn and Zn were also appreciably present and comparable with other rich sources as found in vegetable plants. However, significant levels of phytates and oxalates (ANFs) were detected. The ACLM was incorporated at inclusion levels of 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% in broiler finisher diets. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The control consistently showed better (P<0.05) weight gain (WG), feed efficiency (FE) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 52.6±13.01g/bird/day, 2.13±0.05 and 3.14±1.39, respectively. However, the weight gain values recorded for birds on diet 2 (5% ACLM inclusion) and diet 3 (10% ACLM inclusion) were similar (P>0.05) at 47.3±14.87g/bird/day and 48.6±17.10g/bird/day, respectively. This was also true for the FE values for birds on diets 2 and 3 that had similar values of 2.44±2.33 and 2.44±2.14. Birds on diet 3 also had similar (P>0.05) PER value with birds on diets 1 and 2. The WG, FE and PER values obtained for birds on diets 4 and 5 (15% and 20% ACLM inclusion, respectively) were similar (P>0.05) and consistently lower than values obtained for birds on other diets. The highest nitrogen retention (NR) and apparent nitrogen digestibility (AND) values were recorded for birds on the control diet 1 and the poorest were recorded in diet 5. The apparent nitrogen digestibility values of birds on the control diet and diet 2 were similar at 70.39%±8.75 and 65.04%±9.10, respectively. Apparent nitrogen digestibility values for birds on diets 2, 3 and 4 were also similar at 65.04%±9.10, 64.77%±10.09 and 59.64%±8.29, respectively while diets 4 and 5 (55.95%±9.35) also had similar and lowest values (P>0.05) for their birds

Amaranthus Cruentus Leaf Meal As A Protein Supplement In Broiler Finisher Diets Part 2. Haematological Responses, Carcass Characteristics And Relative Organ Weights

Amaranthus cruentus leaf meal (ACLM) was prepared by sun-drying freshly harvested Amaranthus cruentus leaves and milling. ACLM was thereafter included into finisher broiler diets as a protein source 0% (control), 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous and were fed to 150 birds at the finisher phase of production for 15 days. Performance and nitrogen utilization of experimental birds were determined in the earlier part of this study. The present study examined the haematological parameters of the experimental birds which include packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), white blood cell (WBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hbc), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell volume (MCV) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Mean values for each parameter were similar across diets (P > 0.05) except for RBC and ESR. The total serum protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin ratio were determined for the serum and liver. All serum and liver metabolites examined had similar mean values (P > 0.05). Some carcass traits examined include the dressed weight as a percentage of the liveweight, eviscerated weight also as a percentage of the liveweight, thigh, drumstick, back, backfat, shank, wing, head and neck. Except for dressed weight and backfat, all other carcass traits measured were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. Some organs weights were taken relative to the body weight. Such organs include liver, kidney, heart, spleen, pancreas, bursa, gizzard and lungs. Only heart and gizzard had significant (P < 0.05) differences in their mean values. The relative weight, length and breadth of chest and thigh muscles were also measured and were found to be statistically similar (P > 0.05). The introduction of ACLM into broiler finisher diets did not predispose the birds to any known acute general infections, malformation of any kind or diseased condition

Nitrogen Balance And Morphometric Traits Of Weanling Pigs Fed Graded Levels Of Wild Sunflower ( Tithonia Diversifolia ) Leaf Meal

Leaves of Tithonia diversifolia (wild sunflower) were harvested, processed and subsequently referred to as Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal (TDLM). Proximate composition and amino acid analyses revealed that TDLM is a relative rich protein source at 20.6% crude protein (CP) content. Lysine, leucine and isoleucine were particularly abundant in TDLM and compared favourably with conventional protein sources such as groundnut cake and hen’s whole egg. Pre-feeding trial on standard grower pig diet for 10 days revealed uniform growth among the 24 Large White breed experimental pigs allotted into 4 treatments. Thereafter, a 63-day feeding trial was conducted using four diets containing 19.0% CP and digestible energy value of about 12.55MJ/kg. TDLM progressively replaced soybean at 0 (control), 10, 20 and 30% inclusion levels in diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. There was a significant reduction (p≥0.05) in daily feed consumption for pigs across the experimental diets with a range of 390.8 g/day in pigs on the control diet to 261.4 g/day in pigs on diet with 30% TDLM. Average daily weight gain (AWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) had a similar trend with AWG varying significantly (p≥0.05) from 114.3 g/day for pigs on the control diet to 11.7 g/day for pigs on diet with 30% TDLM. Nitrogen retention (NR) had the highest significant (p≥0.05) value of 2.87 g/N/pig/day for pigs on 10% TDLM followed by 2.26 g/N/pig/day for pigs on the control diet. There were negative net nitrogen retention values of -2.60 g/N/pig/day and -1.70 g/N/pig/day for pigs on 20% and 30% TDLM inclusion levels, respectively. Body length ranged from 55.3 to 61.8 cm; knee to floor ranged from 14.4 to 16.3 cm; and hock to floor ranged from 18.4 to 19.3 cm. Pigs on 10% TDLM based diet surpassed the control diet in body length. Other parameters (live weight, height at withers, chest depth and chest girth) had slightly varying (p≥0.05) values for pigs across different diets with pigs on the control diet and diet with 10% TDLM inclusion level having consistently higher values. The similarities in most parameters determined for pigs on control diet and 10% TDLM strongly suggests the suitability of TDLM at inclusion levels not exceeding 10%. We concluded that further processing techniques may be used to facilitate better utilization of TDLM in pig rations

Carcass And Slaughter Traits Of Weanling Pigs Fed Graded Levels Of Wild Sunflower ( Tithonia Diversifolia ) Leaf Meal

Growing pigs were used to assess the slaughter and carcass characteristics, organs and primal cut yields when fed diets supplemented with processed leaves of Tithonia diversifolia (wild sunflower) referred to as Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal (TDLM). A 63-day feeding trial was conducted with commercially available male Large White growing weanling pigs on four experimental diets containing 19.0% crude protein and a digestible energy value of 2997 kcal/kg. Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal (TDLM) progressively replaced soybeans at 10%, 20% and 30% inclusion levels in diets 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Carcass yields for pigs on 10% TDLM were similar (p>0.05) to the values obtained for pigs on the control diet without TDLM. Most other carcass parameters such as carcass length, chest width, trochanter width and leg length were similar (p>0.05) and variations where they existed were minimal. Slaughter traits such as live weight at slaughter, empty slaughter weight, dead weight and back fat depth were significantly better (p<0.05) for pigs on the control diet without TDLM inclusion at 20.2kg, 14.6kg, 19.1kg and 0.9cm, respectively. These values were closely followed by the values obtained for pigs on 10% dietary TDLM inclusion at 15.6kg, 11.5kg, 15.1kg and 0.5cm for live weight at slaughter, empty slaughter weight, dead weight and back fat depth, respectively. Poor values of empty slaughter weight, body mass index, dead weight and back fat depth were recorded for pigs on diets 3 (20% TDLM) and 4 (30% TDLM) ostensibly due to the low feed intake and subsequent poor weight gain and high feed conversion ratio. The above trend was repeated for offals and organs yields. However, reproductive organs were not adversely affected even at 30%. Most determined experimental pig primal cuts were within moderate ranges according to literature and also similar to values obtained for pigs on experimental control diet. Conclusively, pigs on 10% TDLM inclusion level had comparable slaughter/carcass traits, organs and primal cut yields with pigs on the control diet without TDLM and also with most reported values in existing literature. Growing pigs tolerated TDLM and in some cases surpassed the performances of pigs on conventional growing pig diets. Further research studies may be necessary to investigate the nutritional value of TDLM when more adequate processing techniques are employed to reduce its anti-nutrients

Desempenho de pintos de corte alimentados com rações contendo milho pré-gelatinizado Performance of broiler chicks fed pre-gelatinized corn in pre-starter and starter feed

Foram conduzidos três experimentos para avaliar o valor nutricional do milho pré-gelatinizado para frangos de corte de 1 a 21 dias de idade. No primeiro experimento, avaliou-se o metabolismo do milho pré-gelatinizado, do amido e do gérmen de milho pelo método da colheita total de excretas no período de 4 a 7 dias de idade para determinação dos valores de energia metabolizável aparente e aparente corrigida, que foram de 3.370, 3.379,7, 3.259,1 kcal/kg de EMA e 3.299,8, 3.369,7 e 3.051,6 kcal/kg de EMAn, para o milho pré-gelatinizado, o amido de milho e o gérmen de milho integral, respectivamente. No segundo e terceiro experimentos, utilizaram-se 200 pintos alimentados com rações pré-iniciais (fase de 1 a 7 dias de idade) e iniciais com 0, 20, 40 ou 60% de milho pré-gelatinizado em substituição ao milho-grão. O desempenho dos frangos no período de 1 a 7 dias não foi afetado pelos níveis de milho pré-gelatinizado na ração. Houve nesse período efeito quadrático sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade da matéria seca (ponto de mínima de 28,6%) e do nitrogênio (ponto de mínima de 31,7%) e efeito linear negativo sobre o coeficiente de digestibilidade do extrato etéreo. No período de 8 a 21 dias de idade, para os níveis de milho pré-gelatinizado, houve efeito linear negativo sobre o peso final, o ganho de peso e o consumo de ração e efeito quadrático sobre a conversão alimentar (ponto de máxima de 34,3%). Os coeficientes de digestibilidade da matéria seca, do nitrogênio e do extrato etéreo indicaram efeito linear positivo dos níveis de substituição do milho-grão moído pelo pré-gelatinizado. O milho pré-gelatinizado é uma boa alternativa para alimentação de pintos de corte na fase pré-inicial, porém, apesar do melhor aproveitamento nutricional da ração, piora o desempenho na fase de 8 a 21 dias de idade.<br>Three experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance and nutritional value of the extruded corn for broilers from one to 21 days of age. In the first experiment, the metabolism of pre-gelatinized corn, corn starch and corn germ meal was assessed by the total excreta collection method from 4 to 7 days of age and values of apparent (AME) and corrected metabolizable energy (CAME) and the results were, respectively: 3370, 3379.7, 3259.1 kcal/kg de AME and 3299.8, 3369.7, 3051.6 kcal/kg for CAME. The inclusion level of pre-gelatinized corn was evaluated in pre-starter (1 to 7 days of age - Experiment 2) and starter (8 to 21 days of age - Experiment 3) broiler rations. Broiler performance from one to seven days of age was not affected by pre-gelatinized corn in the feed. A quadratic effect for the dry matter digestibility coefficient (minimum point of 28.6% inclusion) and nitrogen (minimum point of 31.7% inclusion) and negative linear negative on the ether extract digestibility coefficient. From 8 to 21 days of age, broiler performance was affected linearly and negatively for final weight, weight gain and feed intake and quadratic for feed-to-gain ratio (maximum point of 34.3% inclusion). For the dry matter, nitrogen and ether extract digestibility coefficients, there was a positive linear effect for pre-gelatinized corn included in substitution of corn. Pre-gelatinized corn was a good alternative for pre-starter ration, but, in spite of the better digestibility coefficient results, performance got worse as pre-gelatinized corn increased in diets from 8 to 21 days of age. Pre-gelatinized corn was a good alternative as energetic ingredient for first week chick feed, but, in the starter phase it did not promote good performance despite the good digestibility indexes obtained