Date Scraps and Rumen Content Extract in Broiler Feed: Effects on Growth Performances, Carcass Yields, Meat Quality and Economic Efficiency

The aim of this study was to determine the effect on the production performances and carcass characteristics of local broiler chickens of replacing corn with cull dates from agri-food industries in oasis zones and of complementing this with rumen content extract from sheep abattoirs in the chickens’ feed rations. A total of 200 male and female day-old chicks of local stock, with an average weight of 25±2g, were divided randomly into 4 groups of 50 individuals, each group distinguished by the respective rate of substitution of corn by cull dates (0%, 20%, 30% and 40%) for a period of 48 days. Each group was divided into ten (10) cages of 5 subjects. The live weights after 48 days improved for all experimental groups, recording an increase of +162g (20%); +82g (30%) and +31g (40%). All of the characteristics remained unchanged for all groups with the exception of liver weight, which was lower in the experimental groups. Substituting until 40% of the corn by culls dates while adding 250 ml rumen content extract per kilogram of broiler feed increased the live weight and average daily gain compared to the control.