EFFECTS OF PALM OIL AND SOYBEAN OIL AS FAT SOURCES IN ISONITROGENOUS AND ISOCALORIC DIETS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILERS

The effects of palm oil and soybean oil as a high energy source diet on the performance of broilers under the warm humid environment were studied. Palm oil and soybean oil, either singly or mixed, were incorporated in the experimental diets to a total of 6% of the diet. The performance of the chicken improved (though not significant) with increasing unsaturated fatty acid content in the diets, but the responses to treatments were not consistent. The carcass fat content was generally higher in all the treated groups compared to the control but the differences were not statistically significant. The results also failed to show any effect of combining two sources of oils. Fatty acid composition in the body was found to be influenced greatly by dietary fat. When soybean oil was used instead of palm oil, the amount of linoleic and linolenic acids in the carcass were increased proportionately.