Activated Charcoal: A Novel Utility Product for Enhanced Animal Health and Production from Agricultural Wastes (Pig Dung and Palm Oil Wastes)

Abstract

Feed remains the most important component of the cost of production in any poultry operations. Hence, the need to harness the potentials of numerous alternative ingredients such as activated charcoal (AC) produced from agricultural wastes. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the physic-chemical properties of AC produced from a blend of agro-wastes for use as feed additives. 120 day old broilers were distributed into four treatment groups (T1-T4) of thirty birds each and were maintained on a starter and finisher diet for 3 weeks each respectively with T1 (control) fed diet containing no AC. T2-T4 was fed diet which contained 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% of AC respectively. Physical and chemical properties of the produced AC were determined while the blood and performance parameters were determined and all data subjected to statistical analysis. The AC significantly (P > 0.05) reduced feed intake, jejunum pH, FCR, serum cholesterol levels and increased (P < 0.05) live weight gain, intestinal lengths, carcass weight and some hematological indices especially in T3 when compared with broilers fed control diet. It was concluded that AC enhanced production and health by improving on the performance, hematology of young chicks and reduction in serum cholesterol level.