ABSTRACT
Eight weeks feeding trial was conducted to investigate the chemical composition, growth response, apparent nutrient digestibility, gut characteristics and morphology of broiler chickens fed four diets containing ethanol-treated castor oil seed meal (ECAM). Two hundred day-old Anak 2000 broiler chicks were then allotted to the four experimental diets containing ECAM at 0, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg, respectively. Each treatment was replicated five times with 10 birds per replicate. The final live weight, weight gain and feed intake reduced (P < 0.01) with increasing dietary inclusion of ECAM. Control fed broilers and those fed diets containing 100 g/kg and 150 g/kg ECAM had similar feed to gain ratio. Broilers fed diets containing 200 g/kg ECAM recorded the least (Linear and quadratic contrast, P < 0.05) crude protein and crude fibre digestibility, and the poorest (Linear contrast, P < 0.05) feed to gain ratio. Similar improved feed to gain ratio, apparent crude fibre, fat and ash digestibility were noticed with birds fed the control diet, diets containing 100 g/kg and 150 g/kg ECAM, respectively. Relative gizzard weight increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary inclusion levels of ECAM.
Broilers fed with 200 g/kg ECAM recorded the heaviest (P < 0.05) relative gizzard, pancreas, duodenum weight and the longest (P < 0.05) relative jejunum and ileum length. Villi length and crypt depth of the duodenum reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary inclusion of ECAM. In conclusion, ethanol-treated castor seed oil meal can be included up to 150 g/kg diet in broiler ration without impairing growth and nutrient digestibility.
Key Words: Broiler performance, gut anatomy, ethanol, castor oil seed, apparent digestibility
Table of content
Introduction.
Materials and Methods.
Results.
Discussion.
Conclusion.
Literature cited.