Replacement of soybean meal by babassu pie in balanced rations for broilers from one to 21 days of age

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of substitution level of soybean meal by babassu pie on the performance and cost feed rations to broilers of one to 21 days of age. Two hundred male broiler chicks at one day of age were used, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 10, 20 and 30 % substitution of soybean meal by babassu pie) with five repetitions of 10 broilers each. The performance (weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and water intake), organ biometrics, feed cost per kg and per kilogram body weight were evaluated. The substitution of soybean meal by babassu pie was significantly in (P<0.05) negatively weight gain, feed conversion, water intake and body weight at 21 days of age, with no effect (P>0.05) on feed intake. The levels of substitution of soybean meal by babassu pie did not affect (P>0.05) the relative weights of the heart or liver, or the relative weight or length of the small intestine; however, it did affect (P<0.05) the relative weight of the gizzard. The lowest cost per kg was obtained from weight gain satisfaction with the diet of 0% babassu pie, which resulted in a higher gross margin for food. The replacement of soybean meal by babassu pie impaired the performance of broilers from one to 21 days of age, being technically and economically unfeasible.