Effect of Bran Substitution with Fermented Cocoa Pod using Aspergillus niger on Broiler Performance Aged 6 Weeks

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 34 views

Effect of Bran Substitution with Fermented Cocoa Pod using Aspergillus niger on Broiler Performance Aged 6 Weeks

Introduction

The increasing demand for animal protein in the community has led to a significant rise in the production of animal feed rations. However, the availability of feed ingredients such as rice bran has also increased, making it essential to explore alternative feed ingredients that can replace rice bran. This study aims to investigate the effect of substituting rice bran with fermented cocoa pod using Aspergillus niger on broiler performance, specifically in terms of ration consumption, weight gain, and feed conversion in broiler chickens aged 6 weeks.

Background

Animal feed rations are a crucial component of the livestock industry, and the increasing demand for animal protein has led to a significant rise in the production of animal feed rations. Rice bran is a common feed ingredient used in animal feed rations, but its availability has also increased, making it essential to explore alternative feed ingredients that can replace rice bran. Fermented cocoa pod using Aspergillus niger is a potential alternative feed ingredient that can provide sustainable solutions in the livestock industry.

Methodology

This study used a complete random design (RAL) with 6 treatments and 4 replications. Each test consisted of 5 Old Chick (DOC). The treatment given in this study was as follows:

T0: Commercial feed
T1: Use of 12% rice bran without fermented cocoa pod
T2: 9% rice bran and 3% fermented cocoa pod
T3: Rice bran 6% and pod cocoa fermented 6%
T4: 3% rice bran without 9% fermented cocoa pod
T5: 12% rice bran and 12% fermented cocoa pod

Results

The results of this study showed that the average ration consumption (g/head/week) for each treatment was as follows:

T0: 94.21
T1: 94.40
T2: 95.87
T3: 93.21
T4: 377.69
T5: 181.80

The average weight gain (g/head/week) for each treatment was as follows:

T0: 44.89
T1: 44.84
T2: 45.76
T3: 46.32
T4: 181.80
T5: 8.39

The average feed conversion ratio for each treatment was as follows:

T0: 2.13
T1: 2.12
T2: 2.11
T3: 2.03
T4: 8.39
T5: 2.11

Discussion

The results of this study showed that the substitution of rice bran with fermented cocoa pod does not provide a significant difference (p> 0.05) to the consumption of rations, but gives a significant difference (p <0.05) to weight gain and the ratio of broiler chicken feed conversion. This suggests that the use of fermented cocoa pods can be a useful alternative for improving the performance of broiler chickens, especially in terms of weight gain and efficiency of feed utilization.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

The use of alternative feed ingredients such as fermented cocoa pod offers sustainable solutions in the livestock industry. By relying on materials that can be obtained from agricultural waste, such as cocoa pod, this research provides new insights for farmers to improve the performance of broiler chickens without fully depending on commercial feed that is often expensive.

POD cocoa fermentation with Aspergillus niger has the potential to increase digestibility and nutritional value of the feed. The fermentation process can reduce the anti-nutrition compounds in the cocoa pod and increase the availability of nutrients that can be utilized by chickens. In addition, the use of fermented cocoa pod can also help reduce feed costs, which is one of the biggest components in broiler chicken cultivation.

Conclusion

This study concluded that the substitution of rice bran with fermented cocoa pod is an appropriate alternative to improve broiler performance, especially in aspects of feed growth and efficiency. This of course provides benefits not only for farmers in optimizing operational costs but also for the sustainability of animal feed resources in the future.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

The use of fermented cocoa pod as an alternative feed ingredient can improve the performance of broiler chickens, especially in terms of weight gain and efficiency of feed utilization.
Farmers can consider using fermented cocoa pod as a substitute for rice bran in their broiler chicken feed rations.
Further research is needed to explore the potential of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient in other types of livestock, such as pigs and cattle.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted on a small scale, and further research is needed to confirm the findings of this study.
The study only investigated the effect of fermented cocoa pod on broiler chicken performance, and further research is needed to explore its potential as a feed ingredient in other types of livestock.

Future Research Directions

Based on the findings of this study, the following future research directions are suggested:

Investigating the effect of fermented cocoa pod on the performance of other types of livestock, such as pigs and cattle.
Exploring the potential of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient in other types of animal feed rations, such as aquaculture feed.
Investigating the economic benefits of using fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient in broiler chicken feed rations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Substitution of Bran with Fermented Cocoa Pod using Aspergillus niger on Broiler Performance Aged 6 Weeks

Q: What is the purpose of this study?

A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of substituting rice bran with fermented cocoa pod using Aspergillus niger on broiler performance, specifically in terms of ration consumption, weight gain, and feed conversion in broiler chickens aged 6 weeks.

Q: What are the benefits of using fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient?

A: The use of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient offers several benefits, including:

Increased digestibility and nutritional value of the feed
Reduced anti-nutrition compounds in the cocoa pod
Increased availability of nutrients that can be utilized by chickens
Reduced feed costs, which is one of the biggest components in broiler chicken cultivation

Q: How does the fermentation process affect the nutritional value of the cocoa pod?

A: The fermentation process can increase the nutritional value of the cocoa pod by reducing anti-nutrition compounds and increasing the availability of nutrients that can be utilized by chickens.

Q: Can fermented cocoa pod be used as a substitute for rice bran in broiler chicken feed rations?

A: Yes, fermented cocoa pod can be used as a substitute for rice bran in broiler chicken feed rations. The study found that the substitution of rice bran with fermented cocoa pod does not provide a significant difference (p> 0.05) to the consumption of rations, but gives a significant difference (p <0.05) to weight gain and the ratio of broiler chicken feed conversion.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has several limitations, including:

The study was conducted on a small scale, and further research is needed to confirm the findings of this study
The study only investigated the effect of fermented cocoa pod on broiler chicken performance, and further research is needed to explore its potential as a feed ingredient in other types of livestock

Q: What are the future research directions for this study?

A: The following future research directions are suggested:

Investigating the effect of fermented cocoa pod on the performance of other types of livestock, such as pigs and cattle
Exploring the potential of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient in other types of animal feed rations, such as aquaculture feed
Investigating the economic benefits of using fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient in broiler chicken feed rations

Q: Can fermented cocoa pod be used in other types of animal feed rations?

A: Yes, fermented cocoa pod can be used in other types of animal feed rations, such as aquaculture feed. However, further research is needed to explore its potential as a feed ingredient in these types of feed rations.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The potential applications of this study include:

Improving the performance of broiler chickens through the use of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient
Reducing feed costs and improving the sustainability of animal feed resources
Exploring the potential of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient in other types of livestock and animal feed rations.

Q: What are the implications of this study for the livestock industry?

A: The implications of this study for the livestock industry include:

The potential to improve the performance of broiler chickens through the use of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient
The potential to reduce feed costs and improve the sustainability of animal feed resources
The potential to explore the use of fermented cocoa pod as a feed ingredient in other types of livestock and animal feed rations.