COMPARISON OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL EFFECTS OF ROXAZYME-G ENZYME IN PALM KERNEL MEAL AND BREWERS DRIED GRAIN BASED DIETS FED TO MALE TURKEY POULTS

Abstract

The influence of exogenous enzymes on the utilization of agro-industrial by-products in poultry ration was assessed. Palm kernel cake (PKC) meal and Brewer's dried grain (BDG) based diets were supplemented with Roxazyme-G enzyme and subsequently fed to male turkey poults for 8 weeks. Diets 1 and 2 contained PKC, which supplied 2.4% fibre while BDG supplied 2.4% fibre in diets 3 and 4. Diets 2 and 4 were supplemented with 15g of Roxazyme-G enzyme, while Diets 1 and 3 were not, thus acting respectively as controls for Diets 2 and 4. Roxazyme-G significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the mean daily weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio but not mean daily feed intake. The mean daily weight gain for birds fed diet 2 was numerically higher (40.00g) than those birds fed diet 1 (37.20g), while that of birds fed diet 4 was significantly (P < 0.05) depressed (37.63g). The feed-to-gain ratio for birds on diet 2 (1.88) was better than that of birds fed diet 1 (1.97) while those on diet 3 (1.72) were better than those fed diet 4 (1.89). The edible parts expressed as percent live-weight and cut parts were not influenced by treatment except the drumstick. Enzyme supplementation also resulted in a decrease in the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and the percent Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of the poults. Congestion of central veins and degeneration of the hepatocytes were also noted in poults fed Diet 2, 3 and 4. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the percentage of calcium and phosphorus elements in the bones of the experimental birds. Data from the study also showed that the poults fed diet 1 significantly (P < 0.05) developed the shortest bone length (16.08cm). Economic analysis revealed that cost/kg feed (N) was cheapest in diet 1 followed by diet 3 which gave the best mean daily weight gain (44.67g) and feed-to-gain ratio (1.72). Poults fed diet 3 also showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher gross margin than those in the other treatments. Since farmers always aim at maximizing profit at reduced cost of production Diet 3 could be the best option for raising male turkey poults, followed by Diet 2. In order words, supplementing these diets with Roxazyme-Genzyme may not convey any tangible economic benefits to a producer for now. More research work may thus be required.



[Niger Agric. J. 34 (2003): 116-124]