The Apparent Metabolizable Energy and Amino Acid Digestibilities of Copra Meal In Broiler Diets
ABSTRACT: The world’s copra
meal production amounted to 1.8 million tonnes in 2002 and most of it was
produced in Asia.
The Philippines and Indonesia
contributed approximately 65%
of the world’s copra meal
production. The main problems of using copra meal in poultry diets are its
physical properties along with
its nutritional profiles.
This study was conducted
to determine the
physical characteristics and feeding
value of copra
meal. Physical
characteristics were determined
by measuring the bulk
density and water
holding capacity of copra meal and a digestibility study was undertaken to
investigate nutrient digestibility, jejunal digesta viscosity and
apparent metabolizable energy of copra
meal. A total
of 28 day
old male Ross chicks
were given control
starter and grower diets from day 1 to 35. From day 36 to
42 , the birds were fed an
experimental diet. Faeces
were collected for three consecutive days. Jejunal digesta was measured
for viscosity and
ileal digesta was used for amino acid digestibility
measurements. Data indicated
that bulk density
and water holding capacity
of copra meal
were poor, being 0.49
g/cm3 and 4.69
g water / g feed
respectively. Although the crude
proteind and amino
acids contents of copra
meal were favourable
to meet a broiler chicken’s requirements, their
digestibilities were low and
lysine digestibility being
the lowest while arginine
digestibility was high.
Dry matter, neutral detergent
fibre digestibility and
apparent metabolizable
energy were also
low. The low digestibilities of
nutrients were not
due to the jejunal digesta viscosity as jejunal
digesta viscosity was low.
Author: Burhanudin Sundu
Journal Code: jppeternakangg080001
