The Substitution of Maize With Date By-Products in Broiler Chicken Feed

In Algeria, date by-products account for 25% of date palm production, amounting to 200,000 tons annually.Their use in animal feed is both economically and hygienically advantageous.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of substituting maize with Deglet Nour date by-products in broiler chicken diets on growth performance.A total of 250 "ISA f15" broiler chickens were divided into five groups of 50, each receiving one of five dietary regimens with substitution rates of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% over a 48-day period.The results showed that final weight, average daily gain (ADG), and feed intake significantly decreased in the group with a 10% substitution rate, with a feed conversion ratio ranging from 2.40 to 2.24.However, the 20% substitution group demonstrated the best final weight (2768.75g), ADG (83.26 g), and feed conversion ratio (2.24) compared to other groups.Incorporating date byproducts at substitution rates of 20%, 30%, and 40% did not impair growth performance.At a 30% substitution rate, the feed conversion ratio slightly increased, but the results remained economically viable starting from a 20% substitution rate.