Comparative Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed Varying Levels of

Abstract: Studies were conducted to compare the effects of dietary PKC and maize offal on the performance of broilers. According to the results of the trial with broiler starter chicks, the birds on the control diet (without PKC or maize offal) gave the highest body weight gain (1236.37g/bird). The result further showed that the birds on maize offal diets performed slightly better (1092.17 and 1005.56g/bird) than those on PKC diets (984.12 and 877.61g/bird). The birds on PKC diets consumed more feed (2446.11 and 2416.69g/bird) than those on maize offal diets (2329.05 and 2106.94g/bird). Feed cost per kg live weight gain was generally higher with PKC diets than with maize offal diets. Average daily water intake was not significantly affected by diets (200 to 300 ml/bird/day). Dry matter retention was higher with maize offal diets (66.45 and 68.52%) than with PKC diets (59.92 and 55.24%). The birds on the control diet gave almost similar crude protein and fat retention with those on maize offal diets (about 74%). The results of the trial with broiler finisher chickens indicated that weight gain per bird slightly decreased when PKC or maize offal replaced maize in the diet. Feed intake increased slightly when 50 % of dietary maize was replaced with PKC or maize offal. Feed to gain ratio increased significantly with the inclusion of PKC or maize offal in the diet. Water intake was not significantly affected by diets (400 to 500ml/bird/day). Dietary PKC significantly decreased dry matter retention. Crude protein retention was significantly higher in the maize offal diets (72.41 and 76.99%) as compared to PKC diets (59.91 and 64.25%). Fat retention significantly decreased with the test diets. From the foregoing, therefore, it can be concluded that both ingredients performed significantly well when compared to the control diet. However, maize offal seemed to have performed better than PKC in a number of parameters. Key words: Palm-kernel cake, maize offal, broiler chickens, soyabean mea