Productive performance and meat quality of commercial Cobb chicken fed diets containing different levels of prickly pear fruits (Opuntia ficus indica) peel

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the impacts arising from the substitution of prickly pear fruits (Opuntia ficus indica) peels at different levels (0, 5, 10, and 15%) with yellow corn grain in broiler diets and meat quality. In this study, 200 male chick of commercial Cobb breed were used to study the effect of partially replacing of yellow corn grain (YC) with prickly pear fruits peel powder (PPP). Chicks were divided into four treatments (50 birds each), each treatment contained 5 replicates of 10 birds each. The experimental treatments were the following: 1-control diet (R1). 2-diet containing 5% pp (R2). 3-diet containing 10% pp (R3), and 4diet containing 15% pp (R4). Feeding trails extending to 6 weeks. Results: Obtained results illustrated that feed intake, live body weight, feed conversion ratio of broiler fed diet containing PPP were better (P < 0.05) than that of control. Broilers fed diet containing 5, 10, and 15% PPP were heavier (P < 0.05) by 1.60, 3.68, and 5.78%, respectively, over those fed the control diet. Inoculation of diets containing PPP achieved high (P < 0.05) carcasses weight and dressing% compared with control. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were detected for serum total protein, and total globulin of blood serum broiler as feeding inclusion levels of tested diets. Broiler fed diets contained 15% achieved higher degrees of taste, color, odor (aroma), texture, and overall acceptability. Highest (P < 0.05) biological value, true-digestibility and net protein utilization of broiler meat-fed PPP than other groups of control which was expected, as casein is a protein source with optimal digestibility. Conclusions: It could be concluded that feeding commercial Cobb chicken on diets containing 15% prickly pear peel (Opuntia ficus indica) peel substituted with yellow corn grain, resulted in superior nutrition status and better daily gain, feed conversion ratio, economical efficiency, and better meat quality, as compared with other groups could be recommended.

The By-Products of Prickly Pear Processing in Broiler Feed: Case of Dehydrated Husks and Cake

“…The incorporation of FB g seed husks and seed cakes at a rate of 10% and 20% in the feed of broiler chickens has led to an increase in live weight and ADG. This is in line with the results found by Badr et al [20], who found an improvement in weight performance due to the substitution of maize by FB envelopes of 5-15% in Cobb broilers. However, Moula et al [19] for a 5% and 10% incorporation of FB cladodes in the broiler feed, observed no signi cant effect on body weight and ADG, in contrast to Ragab [26] who found in Hy-Line W-36 cocks fed with FB envelopes, a non-signi cant effect on body weight at 70 days but a positive effect on ADG.…”

“…The incorporation of the by-product of prickly pear processing (husks) and the by-product of oil extraction from BF seeds (oilcake) did not cause mortality in the experimental groups as reported by Badr et al [20] in Cobb chickens fed BF husks and Bakr et al [25] in rabbits fed BF zest. However, Moula et al [19], on broilers fed with 10% prickly pear cladodes in the diet, found a mortality rate of 10%, while Ragab [21] found a mortality rate of 3.3% in quails fed on diets containing 15% prickly pear shells.…”

“…Throughout the rearing period, the substitution of maize and soybean meal by prickly pear husks and meals respectively had a signi cant effect on average daily intake and feed conversion of broilers for the 10% and 20% groups. For their part, Badr et al [20] observed in Cobb chickens fed rations containing 5%, 10% and 15% FB envelopes, average daily intakes, and lower consumption indices than for the control, as did El-Neney et al [28] for the incorporation of FB envelopes and Zeedan et al [31] for the incorporation of FB cladodes, and in rabbits at levels of 10%, 20%, and 30%.…”

“…The incorporation of prickly pear husks and cakes at a rate of 10% and 20% in the feed for broilers has led to an increase in the weight of hot and cold carcasses, and livers and gizzards but had no signi cant effect on other slaughter parameters, in contrast to the ndings of Regab [26] in male chicks of line W-36 and Regab [21] in quails, which recorded no in uence of the incorporation of FB envelopes on the slaughter parameters. However, Badr et al [20] found that at an incorporation rate of 5%, 10%, and 15%), a signi cant in uence on carcass and offal weights was observed. In rabbits, Abu Shammalah [32] found that the use of FB envelopes in rabbit rations in uences carcass characteristics.…”

“…The use of these by-products in poultry farming remains very little studied. Moula et al [19], in their study, used the whole fruit in Algeria in the same way as Badr et al [20] in Egypt, while Regab [21] experimented with the fruit envelope with the addition of enzymes.…”