REPLACEMENT VALUE OF COCOA HUSK MEAL FOR MAIZE IN DIETS OF GROWING PULLETS

Abstract

The effects of incorporating cocoa husk meal (CHM) at the expense'of maize in isonitrogenous diets of growing pullets were investigated. The feeding trial lasted 16 weeks and involved 108 10-week-old Nera pullets. They were, reared to 20 weeks of age on the
control diet (CD) and 100,150 and 200 glkg CHM diets (CHMDs) in which CHM replaced maize. From 21 to 26 weeks of age all birds were raised on a common 18 % corn-soyabean meal layers mash. Up to week 20, all CHMDs depressed (P < 0.05) weight gain and feed
efficiency. Percentage egg production to week 20 was higher on CD but egg weight was lower (P < 0.05). Feed cost per bird was at least 10°/o higher and onset of lay faster on CD than on the other diets. By week 23, egg production, egg weight and mass, and feed intake
were similar in all treatments. Feed efficiency was lower (P < 0.05) on the 200 g/kg CHMD than on the control by week 23. By week 24, however, this depression had disappeared. These results indicate (1) a rapid overcoming of the effects of dietary CHM by the growing
pullet during the egg laying phase (2)up to 200 g/kg CHM could be incorporated in growing pullets' mash at the expense of maize without jeopardizing subsequent laying performance and with significant cost-saving effect.