Levels Of Palm Kernel Meal Research Articles

GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF FINISHER BROILER CHICKENS TO PALM KERNEL MEAL DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH CELLULASE

A total of 96 broiler chickens, aged 28 days were fed palm kernel meal (PKM) diets supplemented with cellulase at the finisher phase. The birds were allotted to four diets, each replicated three times, with 8 birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Final weight decreased (1740.04g-973.00g) with PKM level. However, 20%PKM birds (1000.09g) were similar to 30%PKM (973.00g). Daily weight gain (60.41g-23.83g) and daily feed intake (120.25g-54.56g) followed similar trend as final weight. Feed conversion ratio was best (P<0.05) in 0% PKM group (2.00) and poorest in 20% PKM birds (2.37). Bled weight was significantly affected (P<0.05), birds fed 0%PKM (1616.75g) and 10%PKM (1608.38g) were similar but different from 20%PKM (1325.05g) and 30%PKM (1290.05g). De-feathered weight decreased (1563.36g-1221.73g) with level of PKM. Eviscerated weight (1345.09g-1078.31g) and dressing percentage (74.39-70.67) showed similar trend of variation as live-weight. Head, neck, leg, drumstick, thigh, back, wing, breast, intestine and gizzard varied significantly (P<0.05). Drumstick and thigh were highest in birds fed 10%PKM (11.07g/11.57g) and lowest in birds fed 20% PKM (9.58g/10.84g). Back declined (14.53-12.59) with PKM level. Highest wing percentage was in 30%PKM (8.29) and least in 20%PKM (7.81). Highest breast percentage was in 20%PKM (20.98) and least in 0%PKM (19.90). Intestine was highest in 0%PKM (11.58) and least in 10%PKM (9.53). The gizzard increased (5.55-6.96) with PKM. Heart and liver were not affected (P>0.05). PKM with cellulase supplementation could be fed to finisher broiler chickens up to 10% for improved growth response and carcass yield.

Effects of Palm Kernel Meal in Diets of Layer KUB Chicken

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of palm kernel meal (PKM) on diets of layer KUB (Kampung Unggul Balibangtan) chicken. Local feed was included in the various diets of PKM at levels of 0% (T1), 10% of PKM (T2) and 20% of PKM (T3). This research was conducted in 2019 at the beginning of layer period. One hundred and forty-four 22-week-old layer birds were selected from a flock and randomly allocated to three treatments with 3 replicates of the diet feeds introduced. Feed intake and egg production were determined using the SPSS Software. The increase in PKM levels had no effect on feed intake and egg production (p>0.05). The egg production in each treatment were 65.39%, 60.67 % and 62.50%. PKM applied in T3 (20%) did not affect the egg production in KUB chickens due to low crude fibre (4.64%). The price of feed in T1, T2 and T3 were IDR 6,000, IDR 5,250 and IDR 4,500 respectively. With the difference in PKM feed prices of IDR 1,500 compared to commercial feed, this is expected to reduce the cost of KUB chicken production.
 Keywords: Palm kernel meal (PKM), layer KUB chicken, production

The effect of increasing levels of palm kernel meal containing α-β-mannanase replacing maize to growing-finishing hybrid duck on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass trait, and VFA

In this experiment, we investigated the effect of increasing levels of palm kernel meal containing α-β-mannanase replacing maize to growing-finishing hybrid duck on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and carcass trait. One hundred and ninety- six hybrid ducks [(Peking x Khaki Campbell)] with 410.52 ± 95.25 g BW) were allotted to 5 dietary treatments with 9 ducks (unsexed) per pen and 4 replicates per treatments. These dietary treatments were: NC (negative control; maize-soybean-meal based diet), PKM25 (maize replacement with PKM α-β-mannanase 25%), PKM50 (maize replacement with PKM α-β-mannanase 50%), PKM75 (maize replacement with PKM α-β-mannanase 75%), PKM100 (maize replacement with PKM α-β-mannanase 100%). There was a curve linear decrease in the growing phase and finisher phase in feed intake as the level of α-β-mannanase palm kernel meal increased in the diet. Curvilinear, the result was presented no significant difference (P>0.05) on the initial body weight, growing and finishing phase body weight. The result of this study showed the used α-β-mannanase in the palm kernel meal presented a significant difference (P < 0.05) on the nutrient digestibility of dry matter and crude protein. Furthermore, Carcass traits showed the reflection in line with the final weight and internal organs were better to compare to control 0.5% using α-β-mannanase in the palm kernel meal. In summary, the increase of the level of palm kernel meal with α-β-mannanase enzyme was had a positive effect on the hybrid ducks and the replacement of palm kernel meal by 25% with the addition of the α-β-mannanase enzyme was able to improve digestibility and reduce abdominal fat of hybrid ducks.

Effect of feeding graded levels of palm kernel meal with exogenous enzymes on performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass traits of growing rabbits

Effect of feeding graded levels of palm kernel meal with exogenous enzymes on performance, nutrient digestibility and carcass traits of growing rabbits

Response of broiler turkeys to graded dietary levels of Palm Kernel Meal in replacement for maize

The performance of local broiler turkeys fed dietary treatments in which palm kernel meal (PKM) replaced maize at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent was evaluated. The replacement levels of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent represented diets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. One hundred and eighty day-old unsexed turkey poults were allotted to the six dietary treatments. The treatments were replicated three times. Each replicate having ten poults. The experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design experiment. The feeding trial lasted for 24 weeks. With the exception of mortality, significant differences (P<0.05) existed in the final weight, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The final weight and weight gain of birds fed diet 4 (60% replacement level) were not significantly different (P>0.05) from that of diet 3 (40% replacement level) but were significantly higher (P<0.05) than other dietary treatments. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio increased as the level of replacement increased. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of turkeys fed diets 1, 2, 3, and 4. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in slaughter weight, dressed weight, breast, wings and back cuts of turkeys fed the various dietary treatments. Dressing percentage values were similar for birds fed diets 1, 2, 3, and 5. Abdominal fat of turkeys increased with increasing concentration of PKM at the expense of maize in the diets. The thigh weight of turkeys fed diets 1, 2, 3 and 6 were not significantly different (P>0.05) but were significantly higher than that of diets 4 and 5; whereas the drumstick weight of birds fed diets 2 to 6 were significantly higher than that of diet 1. Similarly meat-to-bone ratio of turkeys fed diet 3-6 were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of diets 1 and 2. The spleen of turkeys fed diets 2 was higher than others. Palm kernel meal can replace maize up to 60 percent in the diet of local broiler turkeys for good growth and carcass performance.

Response of broiler turkeys to graded dietary levels of Palm Kernel Meal in replacement for maize

The performance of local broiler turkeys fed dietary treatments in which palm kernel meal (PKM) replaced maize at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent was evaluated. The replacement levels of 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 percent represented diets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. One hundred and eighty dayold unsexed turkey poults were allotted to the six dietary treatments. The treatments were replicated three times. Each replicate having ten poults. The experiment was carried out as a completely randomized design experiment. The feeding trial lasted for 24 weeks. With the exception of mortality, significant differences (P<0.05) existed in the final weight, feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. The final weight and weight gain of birds fed diet 4 (60% replacement level) were not significantly different (P>0.05) from that of diet 3 (40% replacement level) but were significantly higher (P<0.05) than other dietary treatments. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio increased as the level of replacement increased. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of turkeys fed diets 1, 2, 3, and 4. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in slaughter weight, dressed weight, breast, wings and back cuts of turkeys fed the various dietary treatments. Dressing percentage values were similar for birds fed diets 1, 2, 3, and 5. Abdominal fat of turkeys increased with increasing concentration of PKM at the expense of maize in the diets. The thigh weight of turkeys fed diets 1, 2, 3 and 6 were not significantly different (P>0.05) but were significantly higher than that of diets 4 and 5; whereas the drumstick weight of birds fed diets 2 to 6 were significantly higher than that of diet 1. Similarly meat-to-bone ratio of turkeys fed diet 3-6 were significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of diets 1 and 2. The spleen of turkeys fed diets 2 was higher than others. Palm kernel meal can replace maize up to 60 percent in the diet of local broiler turkeys for good growth and carcass performance.

Effects of increasing levels of palm kernel meal containing β-mannanase to growing-finishing pig diets on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and pork quality

In this study, we investigated the effects of increasing levels of palm kernel meal (PKM) in diets containing β-mannanase on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and pork quality in growing-finishing pigs. One hundred twenty pigs [(Yorkshire × Landrace) × Duroc] with 29.68 ± 0.17 kg BW] were allotted to 5 dietary treatments with 4 pigs per pen and 6 replicates per treatment on the basis of sex and BW. These dietary treatments were: NC (negative control; corn-soybean meal-based diet), PC (positive control; basal diet + 0.10% β-mannanase), PKM6 (diet containing 6% PKM + 0.10% β-mannanase), PKM12 (diet containing 12% PKM + 0.10% β-mannanase), and PKM18 (diet containing 18% PKM + 0.10% β-mannanase). The BW was linearly decreased as the dietary inclusion level of PKM increased in early finishing phase (linear, P < 0.05) and late finishing phase (linear, P < 0.01). Similarly, ADFI was linearly decreased as the dietary inclusion level of PKM increased in late finishing phase (linear, P < 0.03), and during the entire experimental period (linear, P < 0.01). However, no PKM effect was observed on the G/F ratio. Digestibility of crude protein and crude fiber were linearly decreased when dietary levels of PKM increased (linear, P < 0.05). Moreover, increasing level of PKM in the diet linearly increased fecal nitrogen levels (linear, P < 0.03). Dietary treatment had no adverse effects on plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) levels. Pigs fed diets containing 18% PKM tended to have decreased carcass yield (P < 0.08) as well as increased backfat depth (P < 0.10). Consequently, growing-finishing pigs fed increasing levels of PKM had a linear reduction on growth performance and digestibility. Overall, PKM can be added up to 12% in corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with 0.10% β-mannanase without detrimental effects on growth performance and pork quality of growing-finishing pigs.

Growth Performance of Muscovy Ducks (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Cairina moschata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Fed Palm Kernel Meal Based Diets

From a total of 80 fertile eggs incubated naturally by female ducks, healthy sexed ducklings (n = 64, 32 males and 32 females ducklings) were randomly selected and allotted to four dietary treatments with four replicates, in a completely randomized design in order to evaluate the effect of varying levels of palm kernel meal (PKM) on performance of ducklings. The dietary treatments comprised R0-control ration, R50-50% PKM replacement, R75-75% PKM re-placement and R100-100% PKM replacement of soyabean meal. The main results revealed that the apparent digestive coefficients of dry matter (81.12%), organic matter (83.98%) and NDF (81.10%) were higher with the ration in which 50% (R50-50% PKM replacement of soyabean meal) of soybean was replaced by palm kernel meal. The highest feed intake in male was recorded with the ration containing 75% (R75-75% PKM replacement of soyabean meal) of palm kernel. This same ration (R75-75% PKM replacement of soyabean meal) equally induced the highest live weight and weight gain in females. The experimental design and arrangement is a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement with two sexes and four levels of PKM. In males, the control ration without palm kernel meal induced the highest live weight and highest cumulative weight gain. The lowest feed conversion ratio (p 0.05) affected by the incorporation of palm kernel meal into the diet. Urea serum content tends to decrease with the increasing level of palm kernel meal in feed. In conclusion, soybean meal can advantageously be replaced by palm kernel meal at the level of 75% (R75-75% PKM replacement of soyabean meal) in Muscovy duck feed.

Penggunaan Bungkil Inti Sawit dan Enzim Mannanase dalam Ransum terhadap Performa Produksi Telur Puyuh (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Noferdiman et al, 2019. The use of palm kernel meal and mannanase enzyme in diets on the production performance of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) . JLSO 8(1):11-19.The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of the levels of palm kernel meal and mannanase enzyme in diets to get the best performance of quails. It was used the 180 female quails in treatment combination using the completely randomized design in factorial arrangement of 2 x 3 with 3 replications. Each unit study consisted of 10 quails. The treatment consisted of 2 levels of mannanase enzyme, i.e. 0.00, 0.10 % and 3 levels of palm kernel meal additions, i.e. 0, 10 and 20 %. The results of the study showed that the use of mannanase enzyme and palm kernel meal and their interaction were no significant (P&gt;0.05) affected feed consumption, eggs production, feed conversion, egg weight, egg shell thickness, and haugh unit (HU). The use of mannanase enzyme highly significant (P&lt;0.01) affected on eggs production and feed conversion however there were no interaction between the treatments. It was concluded that the addition of 0.10 % of mannanase enzyme in diets consisting 20% palm kernel meal can improve the performance egg production of quails.

Effects of palm kernel meal level on live performance and gut morphology of broilers

A study was conducted to determine the effects of feeding different levels of palm kernel meal (PKM) on the live performance and gut morphology of broilers. In total, 600 one-day-old broilers (Ross 308) were divided into two groups. Each group consisted of six replications with 50 birds (25 males and 25 females) each. The diets were: 1) corn-soybean meal basal diet with low PKM levels (5% and 7.5% in starter and grower diets, respectively) and 2) corn-soybean basal diet with high PKM levels (10% and 15% in starter and grower diets, respectively). The experiment was conducted from 1 to 35 days of age (DOA). All birds were raised in an evaporative cooling house with pellet feed and water provided ad libitum. During 1–17 DOA, feeding diets with different levels of PKM had no effect on broiler performance (p > 0.05). During 18–35 DOA, feeding high levels of PKM had no significant effect on body weight gain, feed intake and mortality of broilers. However, birds fed high PKM diets had a significantly higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the low PKM group (P = 0.0495). Throughout the experimental period (1–35 DOA), feeding high levels of PKM had no effect on body weight gain but feed intake tended to increase with high PKM levels (P = 0.0873). This led to a significant lower feed conversion ratio of broilers (P = 0.0505). No significant effect of PKM level was observed on the ileum morphology and litter quality of broilers. It was concluded that feeding high levels of PKM had a negative effect on the feed efficiency but not on the gut health and litter quality of broilers.

Effect of inclusion level and adaptation duration on digestible energy and nutrient digestibility in palm kernel meal fed to growing-finishing pigs.

ObjectiveAn experiment was conducted to evaluate effects of inclusion level of palm kernel meal (PKM) and adaptation duration on the digestible energy (DE) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of chemical constituents in diets fed to growing-finishing pigs.MethodsThirty crossbred barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Large White) with an average initial body weight of 85.0±2.1 kg were fed 5 diets in a completely randomized design. The diets included a corn-soybean meal basal diet and 4 additional diets in which corn and soybean meal were partly replaced by 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40% PKM. After 7 d of adaptation to the experimental diets, feces were collected from d 8 to 12, d 15 to 19, d 22 to 26, and d 29 to 33, respectively.ResultsThe DE and ATTD of gross energy (GE), dry matter (DM), ash, organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) in diets decreased linearly as the dietary PKM increased within each adaptation duration (p< 0.01). Diet containing 19.5% PKM had less DE value and ATTD of all detected items compared with other diets when fed to pigs for 14 days (p<0.05). The ATTD of CP in PKM calculated by 19.5% and 39.0% linearly increased as adaptation duration prolonged from 7 to 28 days (p<0 .01).ConclusionInclusion level of PKM and adaptation duration had an interactive effect on DE and the ATTD of GE, DM, OM, and CP (p<0.01 or 0.05) but ash, NDF, and ADF in diet (p> 0.05). Considering a stable determination, 21 days of adaptation to a diet containing 19.5% PKM is needed in pigs and a longer adaptation time is recommended as dietary PKM increases.

Quality of Frozen Pork from Pigs Fed Diets Containing Palm Kernel Meal as an Alternative to Corn Meal.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of palm kernel meal (PKM), an alternative to corn, on the quality of pork. A total of 72 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) were assigned into four dietary treatments (PKM level of 0, 4, 8, or 12%). After 12 wk, one pig of median weight in each pen was selected and slaughtered to analyze meat quality. The color, free radical scavenging activity, lipid oxidation, texture, composition of fatty acids, and sensory qualities of pork loin were evaluated post slaughter. When the levels of PKM in the diet increased, the L*-value of pork loin decreased, whereas a*-value and total saturated fatty acids increased. 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values of pork loin were lower in groups treated with 8 and 12% PKM than in the control group at day 0; this difference, however, was not observed at day 3 and 7. The results of texture analysis showed that increasing the PKM ratio decreased hardness, chewiness, and springiness at day 7. The sensory test, however, indicated no differences between the control and treated groups. These findings show that finisher pigs could tolerate PKM as a replacement for corn; PKM did not negatively affect the quality of pork, indicating that it can be utilized as feed.

203 Effect of different supplementation levels of palm kernel meal with β-mannanase on growth performance, blood profiles, pork quality, and economic analysis in growing-finishing pigs

203 Effect of different supplementation levels of palm kernel meal with β-mannanase on growth performance, blood profiles, pork quality, and economic analysis in growing-finishing pigs

Feeding behavior of sheep fed diets with Elaeis guineensis palm kernel meal

In order to evaluate the feeding behavior of sheep fed with diets containing different levels of palm kernel meal (PKM) substituted for corn silage, a metabolic assay was performed on 20 ewes (5 treatments × 4 replicates) over 25 d. The animals received corn silage diets with the addition of increasing levels of PKM (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60%). The following parameters were evaluated: dry matter (DM) intake, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) intake, feeding time, rumination time, idle time, number of merycism mastications per bolus, time spent ruminating each bolus, DM and NDF per bolus, number of ruminated boluses per day, feeding and rumination efficiency, total chewing time, and number of merycism mastications per day. The daily intake of both DM and NDF increased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and when sheep were fed diets of at least 43.18 and 39.15% PKM, respectively, the consumption values were significantly different than when sheep were fed diets with 0% PKM (P &amp;lt; 0.05). In contrast, feeding time declined linearly, and in response to diets with at least 28.05% PKM, the sheep exhibited significantly different feeding times from those of sheep fed 0% PKM, with a reduction of 0.0613 percentage points per 1% increase in PKM. Idle time, rumination time, and rumination time per bolus each exhibited quadratic responses (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and the minimum rumination time per bolus was 44.37 s with 35.19% PKM. A quadratic response was also observed for total chewing time and both measures of merycism mastications (P &amp;lt; 0.05). Therefore, we concluded that the inclusion of PKM in the diets of sheep improves some parameters of feeding behavior, and the use of PKM is recommended at DM percentages of up to 40%.

Influence of Palm Kernel Meal Inclusion and Exogenous Enzyme Supplementation on Growth Performance, Energy Utilization, and Nutrient Digestibility in Young Broilers.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of palm kernel meal (PKM) inclusion and exogenous enzyme supplementation on growth performance, nitrogen-corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn), coefficient of apparent ileal digestibility (CAID) and total tract retention of nutrients in young broilers fed corn-based diets. Four inclusion levels of PKM (no PKM [PKM0], 8% [PKM8], 16% [PKM16], and 24% [PKM24]) and two enzyme additions were evaluated in a 4×2 factorial arrangement of treatments. A total of 384, one-d-old male broilers (Ross 308) were individually weighed and allocated to 48 cages (eight broilers/cage), and cages were randomly assigned to eight dietary treatments. Results indicated that the inclusion of 8% and 16% PKM increased (p<0.05) the weight gain compared to the PKM0 diet. Birds fed the PKM8 diets had the highest (p<0.05) feed intake. Weight gain and feed intake were severely reduced (p<0.05) by feeding the PKM24 diet. Enzyme supplementation increased weight gain (p<0.05), independent of PKM inclusion level. In PKM0 and PKM8 diets, enzyme addition significantly (p<0.05) lowered feed conversion ratio (FCR); whereas enzyme addition had no effect on FCR of birds fed PKM16 and PKM24 diets. In PKM0 and PKM16 diets, enzyme addition significantly (p<0.05) increased CAID of nitrogen and energy but had no effect in the PKM8 and PKM24 diets. Inclusion of PKM into the basal diet, irrespective of inclusion level, enhanced (p<0.05) starch and fat digestibility. Inclusion of PKM at 16% and 24% resulted in similar CAID of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) but higher (p<0.05) than that of the PKM0 and PKM8 diets. Enzyme addition, regardless of the level of PKM inclusion, significantly (p<0.05) increased CAID of NDF. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in AMEn with PKM inclusion of 24%. The present data suggest that inclusion of PKM in broiler diets could be optimized if PKM-containing diets are formulated based on digestible amino acid contents and supplemented with exogenous enzymes. If amino acid digestibility and AME of PKM considered in the formulation, it can be included in broiler diets up to 16% with no deleterious effects on growth performance.

The effect of palm kernel meal supplementation in the diet on the growth performance and meat quality of swine, and on the level of odorous compounds and bacterial communities in swine manure

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of palm kernel meal (PKM), as a fermentable carbohydrate source, on the growth performance, meat quality, concentration of odorous compound, and changes in bacterial community in swine manure. Swine (average initial body weight of 51.36 ± 1.02 kg) were fed diet which included three levels of PKM (0, 2 and 4%), and their manure samples were collected from the slurry pit. Growth performance and meat quality were not affected by PKM treatments (p > 0.05). Levels of phenols and indoles were decreased in the 2 and 4% PKM treatments compared to 0% PKM (control; p < 0.05). Especially, compared to the control, the 2% PKM group showed decreased levels of phenols by 35% and indoles by 34%. Among the dominant bacterial genera, the main change in relative abundance occurred in those belonging to the Firmicutes phylum in PKM treatments. Terrisporobacter and Clostridium were decreased in the PKM groups compared to the control. However, the relative abundance of Intestinibacter, AM406061_g, Coprococcus_g2, Phascolarcotobacterium, EF401875_g, Lactobacillus, and Streptococcus were increased in the PKM group compared to control. Taken together, administration of PKM had a beneficial effect on reducing production of odorous compounds in swine manure, possibly by modulating the communities of predominantly carbohydrateutilizing bacteria in the large intestine of swine.

Feeding native laying hens diets containing palm kernel meal with or without enzyme supplementations. 2. Excreta nitrogen, ammonia, and microbial counts

SUMMARY Previously, we reported that feeding native Indonesian laying hens a diet containing up to 30% palm kernel meal (PKM) resulted in comparable egg production to that of hens fed a corn-soybean meal (control) diet regardless of enzyme supplementation. In the present paper, we focus on the effect of the PKM diet on nitrogen excretion, ammonia (NH3) volatilization, as well as microbial counts. One-hundred and eighty 48-wk-old local hens were allotted to 180 cages (1 bird/cage) in a curtain-sided house. Twelve diets were assigned randomly to 15 cages each. The diets were a factorial combination of 3 levels of PKM (0, 15, and 30%), 2 concentrations of a fiber-degrading enzyme [0 and 15 units β-glucanase (major enzyme) activity/kg of diet; Ronozyme VP, DSM Nutritional Products Inc., Basel, Switzerland], and 2 concentrations of phytase + protease mixture [0 and 2,000 units of phytase (Ronozyme NP) + 12,500 units of protease (Ronozyme ProAct) activity/kg of diet; both products of DSM Nutritional Products Inc.]. Diets were isocaloric (2,758 kcal of ME/kg) and contained 17.5 to 18.4% CP and were fed for 10 wk. At 4 wk, excreta DM (but not N) increased as dietary PKM concentrations increased (19.44 vs. 21.98 vs. 23.02% for 0, 15, and 30% PKM, respectively; P ≤ 0.005). However, there were no effects of enzyme supplementations on excreta DM or N. Decreases in excreta NH3 of 36 to 47% (P ≤ 0.0001) associated with PKM concentration or of 11 to 18% (P ≤ 0.05) associated with the use of fiber degrading enzyme were observed. Although phytase + protease supplementation did not show a significant effect on NH3 reduction, interaction effects of enzymes with PKM on NH3 were observed. Moreover, increasing PKM to 30% resulted in increased Lactobacillus spp. and reduced coliform/Escherichia coli counts (P ≤ 0.005), and lower (P ≤ 0.05) excreta pH. Interaction effects between PKM and individual enzymes used on Lactobacillus spp. or between PKM and both enzymes on coliform/E. coli were observed.

Effect of Dietary β-Mannanase Supplementation and Palm Kernel Meal Inclusion on Laying Performance and Egg Quality in 73 Weeks Old Hens

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-mannanase supplementation and palm kernel meal (PKM) inclusion (5%) on laying performance, egg quality and nutrient utilizability of laying hens with 73 weeks of age. A total of 240 Lohmann brown laying hens with average 77.5% egg production were randomly allocated with 60 hens per treatment, 4 replicates per treatment and 15 hens per replicate. Experimental design was a completely randomized design with <TEX>$2{\times}2$</TEX> factorial arrangement, with the factors being (1) two levels of PKM (0 vs. 5%) and (2) with or without dietary <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-mannanase (480 IU/kg of diet CTCzyme<TEX>$^{(R)}$</TEX>) supplementation. All hens were housed in cages (<TEX>$35cmW{\times}35cmD{\times}40cmH$</TEX>) with 2 hens per cage for six weeks feeding trial. Laying performance was recorded daily during feeding trial. Egg quality, nutrients utilizability and blood assays were done at the end of feeding trial. Egg production was improved (P<0.05) by both dietary PKM inclusion and <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-mannanase combined supplementation. Either <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-mannanase or PKM did not affect feed intakes and feed conversion ratio of all diets. Egg weight of hens fed diet containing 5% of PKM had heavier (P<0.05) eggs compared with hens fed without PKM. Albumen height was improved (P<0.05) by dietary mannanase supplementation. Crude fat utilization of 5% PKM diet was higher than that of no PKM diet regardless of <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-mannanase supplementation. Both DM and total carbohydrate utilization were decreased (P<0.05) in hens fed 5% PKM diet. Serum IgG and yolk IgY contents of PKM groups were lower (P<0.05) than those of no PKM groups. This result showed that 5% PKM diet, independent of dietary <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-mannanase supplementation, was able to improve egg production. In addition, dietary <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-mannanase supplementation could be used for improving the albumen height of eggs.

Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Blood Composition of Broilers Fed Varying Levels of Palm Kernel Meal (Elaise guinensis) Supplemented with Different Levels of Fishmeal

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristic and blood composition of broilers fed palm kernel meal based diet supplemented with two levels of fish meal. Two hundred and ten (210) day old Anak broiler chicks were randomly allocated to seven dietary treatments in which PKM was used at graded levels to replace maize and Groundnut Cake (GNC) in the diets. The diets were supplemented with either low (2%) or high (5%) levels of fish meal. The results of the performance parameters showed a significant treatment effect. The daily feed intake showed a significant increase with PKM inclusion level up to 30% but declined thereafter. The daily weight gains recorded were better at all levels compared to the control. The feed conversion ratio similarly increased with increase in PKM inclusion levels, just as feed intake and weight gain also increased with FM inclusion level. However, the FCR decreased with increasing levels of fishmeal. The feed cost/kg tended to decrease with increasing PKM levels but increased with an increase FM levels. However the feed cost/kg weight gain increased as the level of PKM was increased. The blood constituents of the broilers were not affected by dietary levels of PKM and FM except for the urea (p<0.05). Though, there was no definite pattern. The carcass analysis was also not affected by PKM and FM inclusion levels except for the plucked weight which was lower at 5% FM level. The result indicated that PKM can be included at 45% in a corngroundnut cake diet supplemented with 5% fish meal without detrimental effects on performance, carcass yield and blood composition of broilers. However, 30% seems to be most economical.

Response of cockerels to graded levels of local and industrially processed palm kernel meal (Elaise guineasis)

One hundred and eighty (180) two weeks old cockerels were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial layout. They were used to compare the effects of two processing methods of palm kernel oil extraction (local and industrial) and three dietary levels of palm kernel meal (PKM) (0, 20 and 40%). Parameters considered were feed intake, daily weight gain, feed cost, carcass characteristics, blood constituents and nutrient metabolisms. The result showed that the cockerels on industrial PKM had a significantly (P<0.05) higher feed intake, daily weight gain and better feed conversion ratio (P<0.01) compared to the control and those on local PKM. The highest weight gain and lowest feed cost/kg weight gain was obtained for 40% PKM diets. The carcass analysis was not significantly different except for the slaughter, head and feet weight and length of small intestine. Not all these followed any particular pattern. Cockerels on industrial PKM had significantly (P<0.05) longer small intestine compared to control and local PKM diets. The blood analysis also showed a significant effect of processing method on packed cell volume, albumin and total protein in favour of industrial PKM. The nutrient metabolism study showed a significant treatment and processing method effect. The nutrient metabolism decreased with increase in PKM inclusion level. In conclusion, industrial PKM can be included up to 40% level in the cockerels’ diet with very good results. Key words: Cockerels, processing methods, performance, nutrient utilization.