Abstract:
The increased price for maize forced
domestic farmers to search for a novel type of
ingredient as an energy source and the utilization
of locally available broken rice is observed as a
replacement to maize. Most importantly, feed cost
accounts for up to 70% of the total cost. Any
mistake in the formulation can negatively affect
poultry production and profit. The performance of
compounded feed is a contribution from different
raw materials. An understanding of the Physico chemical properties of feed ingredients is
important since these influence the performance of
chicken. Hence, this study investigated bulk
density, ash content, foreign matter content,
grades of broken rice, crude protein and gross
energy content of broken rice types sudu kekulu,
red peacock and parboiled rice with laboratory
analysis. The study found that bulk density, ash
content, crude protein and gross energy content
were not significantly different (P<0.05) between
broken rice types indicating that three broken rice
types are similar in these characteristics. Gross
energy and crude protein content are the two most
important parameters investigated when
considering the replacement to maize grain. Mean
crude protein and gross energy values of broken
rice types were 9.36% and 15.91 MJ/Kg
respectively. Based on the findings of the study, it
is concluded that maize grain can be replaced with
the domestically available broken rice types when
considering their crude protein and gross content.
However, it is suggested to conduct a feeding trial
with a feed formulated with locally available
broken rice types to investigate the production
performance of poultry.
