International Science and Technology Journal

In this study, 160 unsexed day-old Cobb broiler chicks were utilized to investigate the impact of incorporating various levels of date palm kernel powder into broiler chicken diets on productive performance. The chicks were raised in a closed poultry barn in Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya, from September 10, 2022, to October 23, 2022, using a floor-rearing system. The study comprised four different dietary treatments, in addition to a control treatment, with chicks randomly and replicatively distributed. Each treatment consisted of four replications, and each replication included ten chicks. Date palm kernel powder was added at levels of 0%, 3%, 5%, and 7% to the first (control), second, third, and fourth treatments, respectively, during the starter and grower phases. The experimental treatments were uniform in nitrogen (23%) and caloric content (3200 kcal/kg). A free-choice feeding system was implemented, providing feed and water to the chicks throughout the six-week study period, with temperature monitoring. The chicks were raised under consistent environmental conditions, including lighting, ventilation, bedding, labor, and a comprehensive therapeutic, preventive, and vaccination program throughout the experimental period. The study also encompassed evaluating average weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and mortality rate for 42-day-old birds. Results demonstrated a significant (P≤0.05) effect of adding date palm kernel powder to broiler chicken diets on weight gain and feed efficiency compared to the control treatment. Sequential addition of date palm kernel powder at levels of 3%, 5%, and 7% led to improvements in weight gain and feed efficiency. Additionally, higher levels of addition resulted in enhanced weight gain and feed efficiency, with the optimal weight gain observed at the 7% addition level, followed by the 5% addition level, and then the 3% addition level, in comparison to the control treatment (0%). Conversely, the best feed efficiency was recorded for the fourth (7%) and third (5%) treatments, respectively, compared to the control treatment (0%). No statistically significant differences were noted in feed consumption and mortality rate among all treatments, as mean values were similar. Based on the results, utilizing date palm kernel as an alternative energy source to grains could be significant, especially in regions where palm trees are cultivated, providing essential grains for human consumption. Keywords: Date kernel, productive performance, broiler, weight gain, feed efficiency.