COMPARATIVE UTILISATION OF ALKALI-TREATED AND UNTREATED COCOA BEAN IN DIETS OF EGG-TYPE CHICKENS

Abstract

Fifty, 32 weeks old commercial layers were allocated to 5 groups and fed ~d libitum on diet comprising a base! Control (without cocoa bean cake) and those based on10 and 20% untreated cocoa bean cake (UCBC), and, 10 and 20% alkali-treated cocoa bean cake (ACBC). Experimental duration was 12 weeks. Cocoa-pod ash solution was used as alkali source. Results showed that egg production and feed intake were higher (pc0.05) for control than other dietary treatments. Higher levels of UCBC and ACBC reduced (p<0.05) performance and increased mortality. Dry matter digestibility was highest (p<0.05) on the control and 10% ACBC diets and least (pc0.05) on 20% UCBC diet. The use of cocoa ash solution appears to be a feasible strategy for improving the utilization of cocoa bean cake in layer diets.