The utilization of Shea butter cake (SBC), a by-product of fat extraction from sheabutter nuts (Butyrospennum paradoxum) was compared with Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) to establish its potential as a poultry feedstuff. A 2 x 3 factorial experiment combining two factors, SBC and PKC at three levels of inclusion (5%, 10% and 15%) was designed. The six dietary treatments were fed to a total of 180 day-old chicks up to 56 days of age. Broilers fed SBC diets consumed more feed (P < 0.05) than those fed PKC diets between 0-28 days of age. During the finisher period (29-56d) and the entire period (0-56d)feed intakes of broilers were similar (P >0.05) on the treatment except the low consumption (P < 0.05) by those fed 5% SBC. Broiler chicks fed 5% attained the heaviest weight gain (P > 0.05) which compared with chicks fed 15% PKC between 0-28d. Between 29-56d, growth rates of broilers were uniformly higher (P < 0.05) on PKC than SBC diets. Broilers fed 15% SBC had the least (P < 0.05) weight gain at the three (0-28d; 29-56d and 0-56d) periods. Considering the entire period (0-56d), growth rates were not significantly (P >0.05) different on SBC diets up to 10%, and on PKC diets up to 15%. Feed efficiency and protein efficiency rations of the broiler became poorer (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of SBC in both growth phases unlike broiler fed PKC which had similar values irrespective of the levels of inclusion. The intestinal tracts and visceral organs were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the sources and levels of test ingredients except abdominal fat which was higher on SBC than PKC at 10% and 15% levels of SBC 10% level was optimal.
Effect of feeding less shell, extruded and enzymatically treated palm kernel cake on expression of growth-related genes in broiler chickens