Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 March 2009
The effects of replacing 0, 25, 50 or 100% of dietary palm oil (5%) with oil of Thevetia peruviana was investigated using broiler chicks 0–3 weeks old.
Increasing the content of thevetia oil in the diet reduced average daily feed intake and weight gain (P < 0·05) and decreased protein and fibre retention (P < 0·05) and fat retention (P < 0·01). However, there was no significant effect on feed: gain ratio or mortality rate. It is concluded that there is a need for further processing of thevetia oil before it can be used effectively as an ingredient in broiler feed.