Effect of supplemental thiamine, niacin and palm oil on performance of broilers fed maize-groundnut-cake based ration

Abstract

Commercial chicks (320) were used in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial treatment experiment conducted to study the effect of dietary levels of thiamine (2.5 mg and 3.0 mg/kg), niacin (35 and 40 mg/kg) and palm oil (2 and 4%) on the performance of broilers from day-old to 56 days of age. The level of supplemental palm oil in the diet affected performance and vitamins requirements for optimum feed utilization and production of desirable broiler carcass quality. Supplementation of the diet with 4% palm oil significant reduced weight gain and feed intake and depressed the accumulation of lipid in liver, kidneys and abdominal region but did not affect the carcass characteristics of broilers. A combination of 3.0 mg thiamine and 35 mg niacin/kg of diet was required in 2% palm oil supplement as compared with a combination of 2.5 mg thiamine and 40 mg niacin required/kg of diet supplemented with 4% palm oil.