Metabolisable energy values of whole palm kernel and palm kernel oil sludge using laying hens and adult broiler chickens.

Abstract

A series of four experiments were conducted in which 30g DM of whole palm kernel (WPK) and of Palm Kernel Oil Sludge (PKOS) were force-fed to laying hens and adult broiler chickens. The length of the collection periods was the same (24, 30, 48 and 60hr) for both ingredients. The ingredients and their faecal materials were used to determine the apparent metabolisabie energy (AME) and the true metabolisable energy (TME) and their nitrogen (N) corrected forms (AMEn and TMEn).

Results showed that in both ingredients, at the 48 hr collection period, no difference in the AME and AMEn, TME and TMEn were found in the bird types. Complete passage of the test ingredients was ensured at the 48 hr collection period. The AME and AMEn values of WPK with laying hens were: 5.08 and 4.98 Kcal/kg DM; while those for the broiler chickens were: 4.88 and 4.31 Kcal/kg DM; those for PKOS AME and AMEn with laying hens were: 3.14 and 2.98Kcal/kg DM, with the broiler chickens the values were 3, 12 and 2.96Kcal/kg DM respectively. TME and TMEn values of WPK with laying hens were 6.42 and 6.11Kcal/kg DM; corresponding values with broiler chickens were: 6.41 and 6.09 Kcal/Kg DM. TME and TMEn for PKOS with laying hens were 4.37. 4.12 Kcal/kg DM. 4.36 and 4.13 Kcal/kg DM, respectively were the corresponding values for broiler chickens. No interaction between ingredients and birds was found but there were interactions among the bioavailable energy systems and the bird types.

Keywords: Metabolisable energy, palm kernel layers, broilers.