Animals with a single stomach digest fibre less well than cattle, so palm kernel meal is used in smaller shares for them.
Typical shares of the dry matter
- Broilers: 10 to 15% without enzymes, 20 to 25% with a mannanase enzyme. Maximum about 30%.
- Layers: 15 to 20%, maximum about 30%.
- Tilapia and catfish: 20 to 30%, maximum about 40%.
- Rabbits: 20 to 25%, maximum about 30%.
Why enzymes and amino acids matter
Some of the fibre in palm kernel meal is hard for a single stomach to break down. A mannanase enzyme helps broilers use it. The meal is also low in lysine and methionine, so balance them with soybean meal or added amino acids.
What it can do
In layers, a better yolk colour and shell are reported. In fish it can replace part of the fish-meal protein and lower the cost of the feed. In rabbits it is reported to reduce diarrhoea.
Ask your nutritionist to check the whole formula, not the meal alone.
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