Day 4 of Asian Agribiz’s Broiler Feed Quality Conference (BFQC) streamed on Wednesday, and explored the viability of alternative ingredients, such as palm kernel cake (PKC) and canola meal, in broiler diets. Below are some highlights.
Constraints in using raw PKC for broilers
The poor physical and chemical properties of raw palm kernel cake (PKC) have implications for broiler performance, explained Nahrowi Ramli, Professor of Feed Science and Technology at IPB University in Indonesia. Based on his research, using higher raw PKC in broiler rations caused lower feed consumption, body weight, and weight gain, as well as worse FCR and high mortality. He pointed out that the presence of shell and high fiber lowers performance. The crude fiber content is also complex and dominated by insoluble fiber. Prof Ramli recommended treating raw PKC before use for broilers.
Improving the nutrient quality of raw PKC
Fractionation and hydrolysis can improve the quality of raw PKC. Prof Ramli said the fractionation process reduces palm kernel shell by at least 50%, and hydrolysis can simplify the shell wall. “Our fractionation and hydrolysis process results in a product—hydrolysis palm kernel cake (PKC-H)—with uniform particle size, slightly brighter color, and soft texture,” he said. PKC-H has low shell and high digestibility. It is a functional feed because it has oligosaccharides containing mannans. “The fractionation and hydrolysis process not only improves the physical quality but also the chemical quality of raw PKC,” he explained.
Canola meal as alternative ingredient in broiler diets
Canola meal is a potentially competitive alternative to sbm in broiler feed formulations. However, anti-nutritional factors such as glucosinolate, isothiocyanate, sinapine, tannins, NSP, and phytate limit its inclusion levels. Bob Swick, Professor at the University of New England, said three products—expeller, solvent, and whole seeds—can be useful in the future, depending on the price relative to sbm and other protein sources. Due to some constraints, Dr Swick said producers need to know and analyze what they are feeding the birds and be careful when formulating the feed. “Use canola meal when it makes economic sense with the feed formulation program,” he added.
Canola meal improves FCR in broilers
Based on his research on how canola meal improves FCR in broiler chickens, Dr Swick said adding expeller canola meal 8%, 16%, and 24% improved FCR compared to sbm control (0%). However, feed intake and body weight declined. His other research with 24% canola meal fed ad lib also showed that FCR was better than sbm ad lib, although it was slightly higher than compared to sbm pair fed to canola meal. “It is basically a palatability issue with canola meal; that is why feed intake and body weight are lower. However, with improvement in FCR, we should expect good economics,” he explained.
Lookout for a more detailed report in Asian Poultry Magazine and Asian Feed Magazine.
