Potential of Mango Peels and Kernels as Feedstuffs: Effect on Broiler Chicks Growth Performance

The increasing cost of conventional poultry feed ingredients has driven interest in alternative, sustainable feed resources. This study aims to evaluate the potential of mango (<i>Mangifera indica </i>L.) by-products, specifically mango peel and mango kernel flours as substitutes in broiler diets, and their effect on growth performance, feed efficiency, mortality rate and carcass yield. A total of 180 14-days-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments for a 45-day feeding trial: (1) control RC (standard commercial diet), (2) R1 diet with 15% mango peel flour (MPF), (3) R2 diet with 15% mango kernel flour (MKF), and (4) R3 diet with a combination of 7.5% MPF and 7.5% MKF. Performance indicators including body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were monitored weekly, while carcass characteristics were assessed at the end of the trial. Results showed that formulated diets maintained adequate crude protein levels (18.43–21.60%), suggesting that partial substitution of maize or oil with MPF or MKF does not compromise protein supply. After 45 days of age, the weight and weight gain of the animals were significantly different (p ˂ 0.05) with each type of diet. An average weight of 2086, 2489, 2516, and 2887 g were recorded for diets R1, R2, R3 and RC, respectively. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) had the highest value (1.44 ± 0.10) in the R1 diet (p ˂ 0.05) compared to R2 (1.21 ± 0.10), R3 (1.20 ± 0.15) and RC (1.07 ± 0.10) after 45 days of age. Mortality rates across the RC and R3 groups were within acceptable limits (<5%) for broiler production, showing that no adverse health effects resulted from the inclusion of mango by-products. These findings highlight the potential of agro-industrial mango by-products in poultry nutrition, contributing to cost reduction and sustainability in the poultry industry.