Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the effect on the production performances and carcass characteristics of local broiler chickens of replacing corn with cull dates from agri-food industries in oasis zones and of complementing this with rumen content extract from sheep abattoirs in the chickens’ feed rations. A total of 200 male and female day-old chicks of local stock, with an average weight of 25±2g, were divided randomly into 4 groups of 50 individuals, each group distinguished by the respective rate of substitution of corn by cull dates (0%, 20%, 30% and 40%) for a period of 48 days. Each group was divided into ten (10) cages of 5 subjects. The live weights after 48 days improved for all experimental groups, recording an increase of +162g (20%); +82g (30%) and +31g (40%). All of the characteristics remained unchanged for all groups with the exception of liver weight, which was lower in the experimental groups. Substituting until 40% of the corn by culls dates while adding 250 ml rumen content extract per kilogram of broiler feed increased the live weight and average daily gain compared to the control.