USE OF APPLE BY-PRODUCTS IN POULTRY RATIONS OF BROILER CHICKS IN KARACHI

Abstract

In Pakistan and all over the world white meat consumption has increased during the last few decades. The cost of poultry feed and fish is quite high. To over come this problem a lot of research work has been done to replace high cost feed ingredients with low cost fruit byproducts. This study has been carried out on the inclusion of apple by-products in poultry feed. Methods: One Hundred one day old broiler chicks purchased from the local breeders were reared in the poultry farm of the Physiology department of University of Karachi. They were divided into two groups A and B. The feed of group A contained maize in addition to other ingredients, whereas the feed of group B substituted maize with apple by-products. Feed consumed, water intake, weight gained, Feed Conversion Ration (FCR) and mortality was recorded daily. Both the groups were also vaccinated with only ND and IBD. The performance of broilers on this feed was monitored and compared between conventional feed and apple by-products mixed feed. Results: Both the groups of birds gained appropriate weight required to be marketed at the end of 6 weeks. Group B compared to Group A gained more live weight. Although there was a difference of 320 gm between live weight of the two groups. Statistical analysis shows this difference to be nonsignificant. Conclusion: We conclude that apple by-products are a cost effective yet equally good feed adjunct for broiler chicks.