Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Dates in poultry nutrition: Effects on growth, carcass yield, blood traits, and immune response to Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis in Saudi cockerels

¹University of Gezira/ Saudi Organic Farming Association. Development of Organic Farming, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia., Poultry Production, Sudan
²Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, National Organic Agriculture Center, Saudi Arabia
³Saudi Organic Farming Association, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera) as a sustainable alternative feed ingredient on growth performance, carcass traits, blood biochemical indices, hematological parameters, and humoral immune responses in Saudi native cockerels. A total of 200 cockerels were allocated to four dietary treatments consisting of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% dates using a completely randomised design. Each treatment had five replicates, with 10 birds each. Parameters assessed included growth performance (body weight gain, feed intake, FCR), carcass characteristics (dressing percentage, cut yields), relative organ weights, hematological indices, serum biochemistry, and specific antibody titers against Newcastle Disease (NDV) and Infectious Bronchitis (IBV) viruses. The data were analysed by ANOVA using SPSS v. 21.0. Body weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by date inclusion up to 15%. Carcass yield, organ weights, and gastrointestinal lengths also remained comparable among treatments. Blood biochemical analysis revealed significant improvements in the lipid profile, with decreased triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein levels, and increased high-density lipoprotein levels in birds fed diets containing 15% dates. Hematological analysis showed a progressive decline in hemoglobin and lymphocyte percentages with higher date inclusion, while other parameters remained unchanged. Notably, dietary inclusion of dates at 10% markedly enhanced antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus, emphasising the immunostimulatory potential of dates. In conclusion, dietary incorporation of date fruit up to 15% is safe. It may improve lipid metabolism and humoral immunity, particularly at the 10% level, supporting its use as a sustainable feed ingredient in poultry production systems.

Keywords: Dates (Phoenix dactylifera), growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters, humoral immunity, Saudi native chickens, sustainable feed ingredient

Contact Address: Mutaz Babiker, University of Gezira/ Saudi Organic Farming Association. Development of Organic Farming, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia., Poultry Production, Elgamaa, Wad medani, Sudan, e-mail: mutaz_babikeryahoo.com