Utilization of sugarcane press residue as nonconventional mineral source and its metabolisability pattern in layers

Sugarcane Press Residue (SPR) as a potential source of major minerals and trace elements was incorporated in 32-week-old white leghorn layer feed at 0, 5, 10 and 15% either in the soya based or fish based diets to form T₁ to T₈ diets, respectively. Each diet was offered to five replicates of four laying hens each for 84 days. Results revealed that metabolisability values of various proximate principles were significantly (P<0.05) differed among different dietary groups excepting that of crude protein metabolisability. The average dry matter metabolisability values ranged from 52.71 (T₁) to 55.46% (T₃) and organic matter metabolisability was maximum in T₅ (63.29%) with least in T₇ (58.91%). Metabolisability coefficients of CP ranged from 70.10 (T₁) to 73.72% (T₇). The retention of calcium (% of intake) also differed significantly among different treatments. However, the retention of phosphorous remained similar. In general, the group fed diet containing SPR at 5, 10 and 15% utilized the nutrients similar to control. It was concluded that the SPRis a valuable source of organic as well as inorganic nutrients for economical layer production.