Evaluation of Kola-Pod Husk Meal in Broiler Finisher Diets

Abstract

Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of kola nut. The pod husk, which constitutes over 50% of the kola fruit, has been a farm waste to date. Its crude protein content which is similar to that of maize suggests that it is possible to partially replace maize with pod husk meal (KPHM) in broiler finisher diets. In this study, KPHM was evaluated in partial replacement of maize in broiler finisher diets. Five diets were formulated in which diet 1 served as the control without KPHM and diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained 10, 20, 30 and 40% KPMH as replacements of the maize portion of the diets. Each diet was offered to 30, 4-week-old broilers divided into three equal replicates for a period of 4 weeks in a completely randomized design. Results of the feeding trial indicated significantly higher (p<0.05) feed intake and poorer feed conversion in the birds fed 40% KPHM diets. However, results obtained from birds fed the 10 - 30% KPHM inclusion diets were similar to those of the control. Final live weight across the treatments was not significantly different (p>0.05). Cost of feed intake and cost/kg gain were significantly lowered (p<0.05) as KPMH increased in the diets. The results of this study indicated good economic returns when maize was replaced in the diets up to the 30% level.