This study was aimed to examine the effect of anaerobic fermentation on the nutrient content of banana peels and their use on performance of crossbred native chickens. Banana peels were fermented (FBP) anaerobically for 21 days with addition of 10% tapioca flour as an additive. Then banana peels without and with fermentation were analyzed for their nutrient content. This fermented banana peel was then applicated to the crossbred native chicken diet with different levels. There were four treatments and five replications. Treatments were FBP0: diet without fermented banana peels, FBP1: diet with 10% fermented banana peels, FBP2: diet with 20% fermented banana peels, and FBP3: diet with 30% fermented banana peels. The parameters were nutrient content, feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio. Data on nutrient content of fermented and unfermented banana peels were analyzed descriptively, while data on feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion were analyzed by using analysis of variance and continued with Duncan’s multiple range test. The results of this study indicated that the anaerobic fermentation process for 21 days increased the crude protein content, and decreased the crude fiber and tannins of banana peels. The level of fermented banana peels had a significant effect (P<0.05) on body weight gain, feed intake but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on feed conversion. Body weight gain and feed intake of crossbred native chickens up to eight weeks of age, fed banana peels up to 20% were not significantly different (P<0.05) with control diet.
Keywords | Banana peel, Fermentation, Nutrition, Crossbred native chicken, Feed intake, Weight gain