Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) Vol.4, No.12, 2014 19 Effects of Graded Levels of Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics in Broiler chicks. Sese B.T 1 ., George O.S. 2 and Agbovu C.B. 1 1 Department of Fisheries and Animal Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State. 2 Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. * Corresponding author. Beke T. Sese E-mail: bekesese@yahoo.com Tel.: + 234 0806 474 1176; Fax: + 234 84 897301 Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal (FFPKM) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. A total of 120 one-day-old broiler chicks of the ANAC-2000 strain were assigned to 4 experimental groups in a completely randomised experimental design and fed graded levels (0%, 5%, 7% and 9%) of FFPKM as partial replacement for maize for seven weeks (42 days). The experimental groups, which were designated as Treatments A, B, C and D respectively were further replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate so that each group had a total of 30 birds. Treatment A, which contained 0% FFPKM or 100 % maize served as the control. Growth parameters (average final live weight and average daily weight gain), average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were determined. On day 56 of the experiment, three birds per treatment were randomly selected from each of the replicates, starved overnight and slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. Internal organs such as the gizzard, spleen, thigh, shank, breast, wings, neck, jejunum, lung, drum stick, pancreas, heart, liver, duodenum and kidney were removed and grossly examined for any pathological changes. The results showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the average final live weight, average daily weight gain and average daily feed intake in the broiler chicks. In birds fed with diets containing FFPKM up to 9%, average daily live weight gain was significantly increased. By contrast, average daily feed intake was significantly decreased with increasing levels of FFPKM in the ration. Consequently, feed conversion ratio was markedly altered in birds receiving 9% FFPKM in the diets. Birds in the control group (0% FFPKM) and 5% FFPKM were less efficient in feed to gain, and significantly (P<0.05) different from treatments C (7% FFPKM) and D (9% FFPKM). There was significant difference (P<0.05) in organ weights (gizzard, spleen, thigh, shank, breast, wings, neck, jejunum, lung, drum stick, pancreas, heart, liver, duodenum and kidney) and some cut parts between the experimental and control groups. There was considerably high abdominal fat deposition in the dressed carcass of broilers fed FFPKM, which was prominent in the gizzards compared to the control group. These results suggest that Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal can replace maize up to 10% in broiler diets without any adverse effects on growth and carcass qualities, and could marginally reduce feed cost in broiler production. Key words: Full Fat Palm Kernel Meal, Body weight gain, Feed intake, Carcass characteristics, Broilers, Organ weight, Gizzard. Introduction Despite her teeming human and abundant natural resources, the intake of protein of animal origin of an average Nigerian still remains below the normal intake of 35g/head/day as recommended by FAO/WHO (Okuneye, 2002). The protein intake of an average Nigerian has been within the region of 53.8g of which, only 6.0 – 8.4g/head/day is of animal origin (Egbunike, 1997). Broiler meat provides an essential means of animal protein production that can close the gap in the nutritional needs of Nigeria and several other developing countries. However, the increasing cost of conventional feedstuffs contributes considerably to the low level of animal protein intake in Nigeria (Tegbe et al., 1995) as feed cost is presently very high, accounting for up to 60 – 70 % (Larry, 1993) or 75 – 85 % (Oruwari et al., 1995) of the total cost of poultry production under Nigerian economic conditions compared to 50 – 70 % in developed countries (Thackie and Flenscher, 1995). It is therefore exigent to exploit practicable means of reducing feed cost with a view to produce cheaper products without adversely affecting profits. Since energy sources alone constitutes 45 – 60 % of finished feeds for monogastric animals (Tewe and Egbunike, 1992) and birds eat to satisfy their energy requirements (Sibbald, 1982), they represent the most expensive component in Nigerian poultry feeds given the current high cost of grains. Conventional feed grains such as maize, groundnut and soyabeans, are basic staple for millions of humans throughout the developing world, particularly in the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. There is high competition for maize from the human food and the livestock feed sectors being a good source of energy, which raises its price and makes it difficult for the poorest and most vulnerable people to consume. This developmental problem is of particular concern in