Growth, nutrient retention, haematology and serum chemistry of broiler chickens fed sheabutter cake or palm kernel cake in the humid tropics

Abstract

Growth, nutrient retention, haematology and serum chemistry of broiler chickens fed diets containing 5%, 10% and 15% either of sheabutter cake (SBC) or palm kernel cake (PKC) in a 56-day 2x3 factorial experiment were ascertained. Inclusion of SBC in diet at 15% level significantly (P<0.05) depressed growth rate and apparent retention of dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre. Haematological and erythrocytic indices in the broilers on the treatments were generally similar (P>0.05). Total serum protein decreased and urea as well as cholesterol increased significantly (P<0.05) on 15% SBC diet. The results suggest that 10% sheabutter cake or 15% palm kernel cake can be fed to broilers without any apparent adverse effect. © GSP, India.