COCKEREL'S RESPONSE TO PINEAPPLE WASTE MEAL AS FEED: A TRIAL ON GROWTH, NUTRIENT UTILIZATION, AND CARCASS AND ORGAN CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract

Pineapple waste meal (PWM) can be utilized as an alternative to wheat offal for poultry feed. This study aimed to examine the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass, and organ characteristics of cockerels fed diets containing different levels of PWM. A total of 150 growing Harco cockerels were divided into five treatments, with different levels of PWM as a replacement for wheat offal. Results showed that birds fed 60% PWM had the highest feed intake, followed by those fed 45%, 30%, and 15%, while the control (0% replacement value) had the least feed intake. However, birds fed 15% PWM had the lowest feed: gain ratio, while those fed with 30%, 45%, and 60% had a higher feed: gain ratio. Pineapple waste was relatively fibrous, leading to a numerical depression in weight gain as fiber impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients. Nevertheless, at the replacement levels considered, pineapple waste did not negatively affect the final live weight and weight gain. The study recommends the use of pineapple waste to replace wheat offal up to 45% in the diets of cockerel chickens as it represents an indirect way to reduce feed production cost. These findings offer a valuable means to support sustainability in poultry production and serve as an alternative feed ingredient during dry seasons when wheat offal's price is high.