Effect of Coconut Milk Inclusion in Root Meal-Based Diets on Performance and Feed Intake of Native Chickens

In pursuit of feed cost reduction for chickens, a reduced feed intake strategy was proposed, but how this strategy works without compromising the chicken performance rarely explored. This study proposes the satiating effects of fresh coconut milk (FCM) as dietary fat for giant swamp taro meal-based (GST) diets on the performance and feed intake reduction of native chickens. One hundred eighty Bisaya native chickens have been grouped into FCM-free and FCM supplemented groups further divided into 0%, 25%, and 50% GST sub-groups of ten chickens in each sub-group. The experiment was laid out in a 2 × 3 factorial in a completely randomized design. The feeding trial started on week 5 post-hatch and terminated on week 12 post-hatch. The average daily feed intake (ADFI) and weight gain (WG) of chicken at weekly intervals were highly significant among FCM as well as GST treatments during weeks 5–7, also the final ADFI and WG. However, no remarkable differences of ADFI and WG in weeks 8–12 feeding. The bodyweight of chickens was highly significant among the FCM group and levels of GST were consistently observed throughout the study period. Neither the FCM nor GST groups differ the values for FCR. However, a bit higher FCR for FCM supplemented and 0% GST treatments. Slaughter weight, meat cuts (breast and thigh) and organ weight (liver, gizzard, and heart) was uninfluenced by either FCM or levels of GST. FCM supplemented diet had higher apparent digestibility of crude ash than FCM-free. 25% GST meal inclusion had higher apparent digestibility of crude fiber compared to 0% and 50% GST. No remarkable FCM×GST interactions in all parameters tested throughout the trial. In conclusion, supplementation of fresh coconut milk to giant swamp taro meal as replacement to maize did not reduce feed intake of chickens but rather increased body weight, weight gain with marginal improvement in FCR. The 50% giant swamp taro replacement to maize compromises overall performance of native chickens. However, supplementing fresh coconut milk to giant swamp taro meal can replace maize up to 25% that gives a better body weight, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio