Economics of rearing broilers on orange pomace based diets supplemented with enzymes

Orange pomace, an unconventional agro industrial byproduct contained 8.22% of crude protein, 4.97% ether extract, 13.45% crude fiber, 64.20% nitrogen free extract and 9.31 % total ash. The broiler chicks were distributed into 5 groups. Group T₀ served as control and received conventional diet. In groups T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄, 15% maize of conventional diet was replaced by orange pomace. In addition, groups T₂, T₃ and T₄ received supplementation with enzymes; xylanase (5g/100kg), cellulase (5g/100kg) and xylanase & cellulase (2.5g each/100kg), respectively. At 15% replacement by orange pomace the average feed consumption was higher in enzyme treated groups than the control. However, differences among groups were non-significant. Feed price and feed cost per kg of live weight was reduced in treated groups than control group. It could be concluded that maize, the costly ingredient of poultry diet can be successfully replaced with orange pomace upto 15% level. Also, rearing of broilers on diets with 15% replacement of maize by orange pomace proved economical.