Effect of Activated Coconut Shell Charcoal Meal on Growth Performance and Nutrient Digestibility of Broiler Chickens

Aim: A 56 days feeding trial was conducted with 225 Marshal Broiler chicks to evaluate the effect of activated coconut charcoal on their growth performance and nutrient digestibility.
Study Design: The design of the experiment was completely randomized design (CRD).
Place and Duration of Study: Poultry unit of the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Animal Production, School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Federal University of Technology Minna, Niger State, between September- October 2011.
Methodology: The birds were randomly allocated into five dietary treatments designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 containing 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 % of activated coconut shell charcoal meal respectively. Each treatment had three replicates with 15 birds in each replicate. The birds were fed ad libitun. Data were collected on body weight, feed intake, body weight gain; feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio and nutrient digestibility were calculated. The starter phase covered week 0-4 and the finisher phase from week 5-8.
Results: The result showed that feed intake and feed conversion ratio values were (P<0.05) different at the starter phase. The result of the finisher phase revealed (P<0.05) differences in the values of mean final body weight, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio. Also high percentage mortality was observed in birds fed 2% activated coconut charcoal meal. The result of the nutrient digestibility showed no (P>0.05) difference in dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and nitrogen free extract. However, (P<0.05) differences were observed in the digestibility of crude fibre and ash values.
Conclusion: It was concluded that activated coconut shell charcoal supplementation at 2% inclusion at the starter phase increased feed intake and final body weight. However, at the finisher phase activated coconut shell charcoal can be included up to 0.05% inclusion level for better performance.