Effect of date kernels treated in various ways fed to broilers in dilution on some productive traits.

Abstract

This experiment was conducted at the poultry field, Agricultural Research and Experiments Station, College of Agriculture and the Marshes, Thi Qar University, from 11/1/2021 to 12/12/2021 to determine the effect of diluting the feed with date kernels treated in different ways on some productive traits of broilers. A total of 270, one day, 40 gm chicks of Rose-308 were used. Chicks were randomly distributed to the five experimental treatments with three replicates (18 birds for each replicate); the diets were provided from the beginning of the second week until the end of the sixth week. The treatments were as follows: T1: Standard control diet (without dilution); T2: control diet diluted by 20% regular date seed pods for 7-42 days; T3: basal diet diluted with 20% date kernels, cooked for 7-42 days; T4: basal diet diluted with 20% vinegar-treated seed for 7-42 days; T5: basal diet diluted by 20% seed germinated for 7-42 days. The results indicated a significant improvement when diluting the feed with date kernel powder compared to the control treatment in all the studied productive traits; the dilution of feed with cultivar date kernel powder gave the best results in a significant way compared to the other treatments. Keywords: feeding dilution, date kernels, productive traits, broilers.