Nutritional evaluation of cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) peel in the diet of weaner pigs

Abstract

Four isocaloric and isonitrogenous weaner diets for pigs in which maize was progressively replaced with 0,5,10 and 15% of fermented and sundried cassava peel meal (CPM) were formulated. The four treatment diets 1,2,3 and 4 were fed to twenty-four weaner pigs averaging 5.64 +0.09kg at eight weeks of age for 56 days. Results showed that there was a progressive decline (P<0.05) in average daily gain (kg) and protein efficiency ratio as the level of CPM in the diets increased. Pigs performance in terms of these parameters was the same for the control, 5 or 10% CPM diets (P>0.05). Significant difference (P<0.05) only showed up when CPM was fed at 15% level. Pigs on the 10% CPM diet had significantly (P<0.05) better feed conversion ratio and feed cost /kg gain. Haematological examination revealed that the effect of treatments on packed cell volume, red blood cells, white blood cells, neutrophils and monocyte levels were significant (P< 0.05). The results revealed that CPM could replace 10% of maize in a diet for weaner Pigs.