Performance of broiler chickens fed diet with processed karanj (Pongamia glabra) cake

The effect of partial replacement of soybean meal (SBM) nitrogen with karanj cake (KC) was studied on growth, nutrient utilization and tibia mineralization in broiler chickens during 0 to 4 weeks of age. Two hundred -day old broiler chicks were randomly distributed to five groups of 40 each with 4 replicates in each group. The chicks of the reference group were fed on diet containing SBM and those of test groups were fed diets containing raw and variously processed KC (6.43%)[SKC, NaOH SKC, Ca(OH)₂ SKC, NaOH EKC] by partially replacing SBM nitrogen of reference diet at 12.5% level. Body weight and feed consumption was recorded at weekly interval and feed conversion ratio was calculated. After 24 days of experimental feeding, a balance study of 4 days (25-28d) duration was conducted on all birds to determine the retention of various nutrients. On 29^th day, the leg scoring was done to find out leg abnormalities, if any, on all the birds. On the same day, three birds from each treatment were selected at random and sacrificed by cervical dislocation to measure tibia breaking strength, bone ash and content of Ca and P in it. Replacement of SBM nitrogen of reference diet with SKC, Ca(OH)₂ SKC and NaOH EKC depressed (P<0.05) the growth performance, however, performance on NaOH SKC diet was found to be comparable with that of reference diet. Dietary incorporation of NaOH EKC had a negative influence (P<0.05) on nitrogen retention, tibia mineralization and bone ash and Ca content in it. However, no such adverse effect was noticed due to incorporation of SKC, NaOH SKC or Ca(OH)₂ SKC in the diet. It is concluded that 1.5% NaOH (w/w) treated SKC could be incorporated up to 6.43% replacing 12.5% of SBM nitrogen of reference diet in broiler chickens without affecting growth, nutrient utilization and tibia mineralization during 0 to 4 weeks of age.