Utilization of Olive Pulp in Broiler Rations

This research was conducted to study the effects of olive pulp on the performance, body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, gastrointestinal tract, visceral organ mass and carcasses of chicks. A total of (260) one day-old chicks were used in this study and were divided into five experimental groups with four replicates in each. Olive pulp was incorporated in four of the experimental groups at rates of (0.0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%) in both starter and finisher feeds to replace similar rates of com. Chicks were fed these diets during the entire feeding trial which lasted for (35) days. The olive pulp ingredient was obtained by sieving raw olive cake which was bought from local market. Chicks were housed on floor and managed as any regular broiler flock at the experiments farm of the faculty of agriculture. Chicks were weighed weekly basis till the end of the trial. At time of termination of the trial (day 35), four birds of each group were killed following similar routine as in regular slaughter houses. Chicks were eviscerated and total gastrointestinal tract weight and its segments weights were recorded. The weights of visceral organs were recorded too. The hot carcass weights were recorded and then were partitioned for breasts and thighs. The removing of olive pits improved the nutritive of the raw olive calf; which was observed in the general performance of broilers consuming different levels of olive pulp. Weight gain of chicks was the same in all chicks consuming up to (7.5%) of olive pulp. However, weight gain of chicks fed the level of (10%) olive pulp was significantly lower than the control. Similar trends were observed in chicks for feed intake, and feed efficiency. The level of olive pulp had similar effects on visceral organ mass, however, livers from chicks receiving (10%) olive pulp had the heavier weights. Similar trend was observed in the weights of gastrointestinal tract and the tract segments, where the different levels of olive pulp had similar effects except that small intestines of chicks consuming (10%) olive pulp had the heaviest weights. Olive pulp level had no effect on carcass cuts and the dressing percent. The research showed that olive pulp could be considered as potential low cost feed for livestock, especially the broilers. By achieving this, lots of savings could be guaranteed besides solving a pollution problem that may be caused by accumulation of olive residues.