Effect of Different Fat Sources and Energy Levels on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Meat Quality in Broiler Chicks

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to evaluate different oil sources and energy density in broiler. Two vegetable oil sources (canola and palm oil), two animal oil sources (fish oil and refined poultry oil) and two levels of energy were: recommended energy (RE); 3000 and 3200 kcal/kg according to manual of Ross 308 and low energy (LE); 2850 and 3050 kcal/kg used in starter and finisher phases, respectively. Four hundred and sixteen (416) day-old broiler birds were distributed in eight treatments (four replicates containing 13 birds in each) in 2 x 4 factorial arrangement. Feed intake, body weight and mortality were recorded. At the end of experiment, two birds from each replicate were slaughtered for carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters. Nutrient digestibility was determined using Celite® as marker. Data were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance technique by completely randomized design under factorial arrangement using Minitab 17 and treatment means were compared using Tukey's Test. Results revealed that weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER), European production efficiency factor (EPEF), Feed efficiency (FE) and FCR were improved (P ≤ 0.05) in birds given recommended energy diet than those fed low energy diet. Feed intake was lower (P ≤ 0.05), whereas weight gain, PER, EPEF, FE and FCR were improved in birds given canola and poultry oil than those received fish and palm oil. Dressing percentage was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in birds fed RE and poultry oil and it was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in birds fed LE and fish oil. Water holding capacity of broiler breast meat was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in birds fed RE diet. Different energy levels had no effect (P > 0.05) on dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP) digestibility (%) at 21 st day. Birds fed diet having poultry and canola oil had greater (P ≤ 0.05) DM, CP and EE digestibility on 35 th day than those fed diet having palm and fish oil. Production cost per kg live weight was lower (P ≤ 0.05) in birds receiving recommended energy and poultry oil based diets. In conclusion, refined poultry oil in recommended energy had improved growth performance, meat quality and economics efficiency in broilers.

Fat digestion and metabolism: effect of different fat sources and fat mobilisers in broilers’ diet on growth performance and physiological parameters – A review

“…Skrivan et al (2000) showed that feeding 0.5% lard oil in broilers diet had improved WG (1973 vs 1799 g) than those on 0.5% rapeseed oil. Shoaib et al (2021b) observed that poultry fat had higher digestibilities of EE (69 vs 64 and 63%) and CP (65 vs 61%) than fish and palm oil. Birds fed diet supplemented with palm oil had higher phosphorus digestibility than those fed linseed and soybean oil (Abdulla et al, 2016).…”

“…A range of animal fat sources is utilised in poultry diets to fulfil the energy requirement of birds i.e., tallow, lard and poultry fat. Shoaib et al (2021b) observed that poultry fat had lower feed intake (3134 vs 3304 and 3278 g), higher weight gain (1832 vs 1789 and 1741 g) and improved FCR (1.72 vs 1.84 and 1.88) than fish and palm oil. Shahryar et al (2011) revealed that addition of canola oil and poultry fat at 3% in broilers diet had higher weight gain (PF: 2000 g, CO: 1965 g) and better FCR (PF: 1.70, CO: 1.74).…”

“…Soy oil provides ME with the highest value as it includes more polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are more digestible. Shoaib et al (2021b) observed that canola oil had higher water holding capacity (63.31%) than fish (53.31%) and palm oil (54.93%). Addition of poultry fat and canola oil in broilers diet had lower gizzard weight and abdominal fat, while, carcass weight was not affected than control group (without oil) (Shahryar et al, 2011).…”