PERFORMANCE AND COST-BENEFIT OF FINISHER BROILER CHICKENS FED BOILED COCOYAM PEEL

Abstract

Given the soaring costs of conventional feedstuffs, there is a pressing need to explore sustainable alternatives that enhance performance, cut production costs, and foster environmental sustainability. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the performance and cost-benefit of finisher broiler chickens fed boiled cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium Schott) peel meal. Four broiler finisher diets were formulated and labeled T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄. The control (T₁) did not contain boiled cocoyam peel meal, while T₂, T₃, and T₄ contained boiled cocoyam peel meat at 5, 10, and 15 % levels replacing maize in the diet. One hundred and sixty broiler chickens (Abor Arce) at 28 days of age were used. Birds were divided into four groups of 40 birds and each group was assigned one of the diets using a completely randomized design. Each group was further divided into four replicates of 10 birds. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The experiment lasted for 28 days. Measurements were taken on the weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. The result of the growth performance showed no significant (P>0.05) difference in final weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. Cost-benefit analysis showed that there were significant (P<0.05) differences in cost per kg feed, feed cost per bird, cost per kg weight gain, and gross margin. Birds in T₄ fed 15 % boiled cocoyam peel meal recorded the lowest values for the four parameters. Significant (P<0.05) differences were not recorded in revenue and price/kg live weight. It is concluded that boiled cocoyam peel meal could be incorporated in finisher broiler diets up to 15 % level without any deleterious effect on the performance and also reduces the cost of feeding broiler birds.