Feed Grade Ash from Empty Palm Bunch and its Effects on Layer Performance

The study was undertaken to produce a palm bunch ash containing low concentration of potassium and to determine its effects on layer performance. Empty palm bunches were collected from a palm oil mill, cleaned, dried, and ashed. Ash was further soaked and filtered to obtain a low potassium palm bunch ash. Ash was included in the layer diets at 0.0kg (T1 control), 0.10kg (T2), 0.15kg (T3) and 0.20kg (T4) per 100kg of feed in partial replacement for common salt (NaCl). Proximate and mineral concentrations of the experimental diets were determined. The layer feeding trial was carried out with 240 Isa brown layer birds that were 16 weeks into lay. They were divided into four groups of 60 birds and each, replicated three times in a completely randomized design (CRD), with 20 birds per replicate, and fed the diets for 12 weeks. Laying performance responses were assessed. Ash supplemented layer diets recorded significantly higher (p>0.05) Cu, and Zn values than the control diets while the Na and Mg values decreased. The dietary electrolyte balance (DEB) values were higher than the recommended. The T2 and T3 groups recorded superior % hen day production (HDP) and egg shell quality, with the % improvements in HDP being 11.71 and 11.97 respectively. Again, the SFA supplementation resulted in 20.96 and 15.41% increase in the profit from egg sales over the control value. Supplementation of layer diets with treated palm bunch ash at the 0.1 and 0.15 kg/100kg diet level are recommended for improved laying and growth performance. Keywords: layers, Palm Bunch Ash, Minerals, and Poultry Feed