Morpho-Physiological responses and performance of chicken fed activated charcoal-aged palm sap (acaps) supplemented diets
| dc.contributor.author | Ohanaka, Albert Uzochukwu Chinenye | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-04-15T11:38:32Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-04-15T11:38:32Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2022-11 | |
| dc.description | A Doctoral thesis in reproductive physiology | |
| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this study is to utilize a feed additive supplement developed from a combination of activated charcoal and aged palm sap (ACAPS) for the improvement of the performance of laying hens and broilers. Pig dung, palm kernel shell (PKS), and bamboo chips blended respectively in a 4:3:3 ratio was carbonized to produce activated charcoal (AC) as a potential poultry feed additive. Thereafter, the AC was blended with raffia palm sap that was aged for 3 days in a ratio of 7:3 to produce an activated charcoal-aged palm sap (ACAPS) product as a second potential poultry feed additive. The efficacies of the AC, and ACAPS as feed grade additives were tested on laying hens, and broiler chicken. In the layer experiment, one hundred and fifty (150) Isa brown laying hens aged fifty (50) weeks were randomly assigned to five (5) groups (L1-L5) of 3 replicates with 10 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment that lasted for 12 weeks. Five experimental diets containing either 0.00, 0.50, and 1.00% AC or ACAPS were formulated with zero AC as the control. Similar dietary supplementation of AC, and ACAPS (0.00, 0.50, and 1.00%) were used to produce the broiler starter, and finisher diets. Again, 150 Abor acre day - old broiler chicken was randomly assigned to five groups (B1 – B5) of 3 replicates with 10 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment that lasted for 8 weeks. Data collected from the layer experiment included laying performance, egg quality, haematological, serum biochemical, and reproductive organ characteristics, while for the broilers, data on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economics of production were also collected. Results from the physico-chemical evaluation indicate that AC was mildly alkaline (8.49), high in carbon content (75.35%) and low in ash content (13.13%). The inclusion of the AC in the layer and broiler diets made the diets more water absorbent, increased carbohydrate, and metabolizable energy values, but decreased the BD, crude protein (CP), and other proximate values of the diets. The mineral ratios of the diets such as Ca/P, Na/K, and the dietary electrolyte balance (dEB) increased with increasing AC inclusion in the layer diets. The 1.00% AC and ACAPS supplementation resulted in 8.28, and 12.84% increase in hen-day production over the control value, and reduced loss in weight of the laying hen. All haematological, serum protein, and electrolyte values were significantly (p<0.05) decreased with increased inclusion of AC, and ACAPS supplementation, while the ovarian, and large yellow follicles (LYF) weights were increased. Litter odour and fly infestations were reduced in the pens housing the charcoal treated birds. The performance results of the broiler study showed that the birds fed the 0.5% AC (B2) recorded significantly higher (p<0.05) final weight, and weight gain, followed by the control, and B4 (0.5% ACAPS) groups after 7 days of feeding. After 28 days of feeding, the birds fed the B4 (0.50% ACAPS) diet recorded significantly higher final body weight, and weight gains (p<0.05) than the birds fed the B3, and B5 (1% AC and ACAPS) diets. Similar growth pattern was observed on the 42, and 49 days of age. However, on the 56th day, the B2 (0.50% AC) had averaged similar (P>0.05) performance with the B4 and both had superior performance indices than the rest of the group. No significant differences were observed in the carcass characteristics of the birds. The blood parameters improved progressively with charcoal addition in the broiler diets. The optimal supplementation levels or AC and ACAPS in layer diets were at 1.00% levels because of improved egg laying, growth performance, and eco-friendly poultry production environment. The optimal levels of AC and ACAPS supplementation in broiler diets stood at 0.50% levels beyond which it comes less tolerable and impacts on broiler performance. Therefore, the supplementation of ACAPS at 0.50 and 1.00% in broiler and layer diets respectively is recommended as feed grade additives for optimal performance in poultry production. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Ohanaka, A. U. C. (2022). Morpho-Physiological responses and performance of chicken fed activated charcoal-aged palm sap (acaps) supplemented diets. (Unpublished Doctoral Thesis). Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria . | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://repository.futo.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14562/1772 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Federal University of Technology, Owerri | |
| dc.rights | Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International | en |
| dc.rights.uri | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ | |
| dc.subject | Activated charcoal | |
| dc.subject | palm sap | |
| dc.subject | layers | |
| dc.subject | broilers | |
| dc.subject | poultry feed. | |
| dc.subject | Department of Animal Science and Technology | |
| dc.title | Morpho-Physiological responses and performance of chicken fed activated charcoal-aged palm sap (acaps) supplemented diets | |
| dc.type | Doctoral Thesis |