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Archives (2003)
Acacia pods to
feed chickens
by
Rita de la Cruz |
April-June
2003
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| Acacia pod |
As it is, acacia pod (Samanea saman L.) is
already a good sourceof protein and energy. It contains 13.57%
protein, 89.25% dry matter, 2.98% ether extract, 2.19% crude
fiber, 0.23% ash, and 6.44% nitrogen extract. Its nutrient
contents are almost comparable to corn. Aside from its nutrient
content, acacia pod is the best alternative because of its
availability, making it a cheap source of feeds.
Roughages and fodder used in feeding farm animals
during dry season are usually dry and lack enough nutrients,
thus the industry rely mainly on other feedstuff like corn.Corn
constitutes a big fraction in preparing chicken feeds. Due
to its high demand in the livestock and poultry industry,
corn supply becomes scarce particularly during dry season.
Its unavailability makes corn an expensive component in rationing
chicken feeds.
Prompted by this problem, Patricia Barcelo,
researcher from Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
(DMMMSU), Bacnotan, La Union thought of substituting acacia
pod for corn in chicken feeds. The main objective of her study
was to determine if chickens (broilers) will gain weight and
perform well if fed with acacia pod meal as main substitute
to corn feeds.
She used 75 three-week old broilers and grouped
them into three. Each group was fed with a certain percentage
of acacia pod meal mixed in the chicken feed. To have a basis
for comparison, the researcher used two additional groups,
one as control (0% acacia pods) and another group fed with
commercially produced mash. The researcher used four important
parameters to determine the suitability of acacia pod meal
as substitute for corn and as supplement. These are: gain
in weight, feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, and
profit.
Results agreed with the researcher's earlier
hypothesis on the effectiveness of acacia pod as substitute
and supplement. Acacia pod meal is significantly comparable
with corn feeds. It could substitute corn up to 35% in formulated
ration.
As it is, acacia pod (Samanea saman L.), is
already a good source of protein and energy. It contains 13.57%
protein, 89.25% dry matter, 2.98% ether extract, 2.19% crude
fiber, 0.23% ash, and 6.44% nitrogen extract. Its nutrient
contents are almost comparable to corn. Aside from its nutrient
content, acacia pod is the best alternative because of its
availability, making it a cheap source. Pods can be collected
and processed into meal during dry season when the acacia
tree bear fruits.
Acacia is abundant in the Philippines and grown
mainly as shade for farm animals. Its wood is also used to
produce furniture and its branches as firewood.
Acacia pods are green when raw and has 16.70%
protein content. It eventually turns black when fully ripe.
Its sticky pulp around the seed is sweet making it more palatable
for animal feeding. These are sundried for one month then
grounded. Other farm animals like pig, sheep, goat, and cattle
eat ripe acacia pods as it is. It is rich in starch and sugar.
Animal nutritionists say that to discover equally
high-grade protein stuff, as substitute is already a triumph,
but to find an equally nutritious and cheap substitute is
already good luck.
Sources:
"Potenial of Acacia Pods as feeds for Broilers"
by Patricia M. Barcelo, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State
University, Northern La Union Campus, Bacnotan, La Union.
Unpublished study. 
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2003 Articles]
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