Comparative chemical composition of 24-hour fermented sweet orange fruit (Citrus sinensis) peel meal and maize and effect on performance response of starting pullet chicks

The study evaluated the effect of 24-hour fermentation of sweet orange fruit (Citrus sinensis) peel meal (24SOFPM) on its chemical composition and performance response to graded levels of peel meal in the diets of pullet chicks. Dry matter, crude protein and phosphorus level in 24SOFPM were close to that of maize. While limonene was higher in 24SOPFM, phytate was higher in maize than the 24SOPFM. One hundred and forty-four fourteen dayold Nera black pullet chicks were assigned to four experimental diets F0, F10, F20 and F30. SOPFM substituted maize in F0, F10, F20 and F30 respectively at 0, 10, 20 and 30%. The feeding trial lasted the remaining 6 weeks of the chicks’ phase. The study design was Completely Randomized Design. Daily feed intake was not significantly different (p>0.05). Average body weight gain was significantly different (p<0.05) and was depressed with no definite pattern in the SOPFM based diets. FCR was significantly different (p<0.05). Substitution of maize with SOFPM significantly (p<0.05) reduced feed cost/25kg, feed cost/bird and cost of production while decreasing efficiency of feed utilization for growth. Apparently, SOPFM might be a potential feedstuff which could substitute a proportion of maize in pullet chick’s diet when fermented for 24 hours.Keywords: chemical composition, performance, chick, sweet orange fruit peel mea