Effect of Varying Levels of Palm Kernel Cake on the Performance of Broiler Chickens in Ogun State

This study examines the effect of incorporating different levels of palm kernel cake in the diet of broiler chickens on growth performance and economic returns in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. Palm kernel cake is a locally abundant agricultural by-product of the palm oil industry in Southwest Nigeria, with potential for reducing commercial poultry feed cost if incorporated at appropriate levels. Its high fibre content and low metabolisable energy have limited its inclusion in conventional broiler diets, but optimised inclusion levels could provide cost advantages without unacceptable performance trade-offs. This study uses a completely randomised design testing five PKC inclusion levels: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 percent in a maize-soybean-based broiler starter and finisher diet. One hundred and fifty Ross 308 broiler chicks are allocated to treatment groups of 30 birds each in six replicates. Body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage, and cost of feed per kilogram body weight gain are measured over 42 days. Findings reveal that PKC inclusion at 5 and 10 percent produces body weight gain statistically equivalent to the control diet, while significantly reducing feed cost per kilogram gain by 8 and 15 percent respectively. Fifteen percent inclusion reduces body weight gain by 11 percent. Twenty percent inclusion causes significant growth retardation and increased mortality. The study concludes that 10 percent PKC inclusion optimises the balance between growth performance and feed cost reduction for Ogun State broiler producers. It recommends PKC incorporation in commercial broiler diets with appropriate enzyme supplementation to improve fibre digestibility.

Keywords: palm kernel cake, broiler performance, feed cost, Ogun State, dietary inclusion.