Response of Broiler Chickens to Yam-Sweet Potato Peel Meal in place of Maize

Abstract

One hundred and twenty broiler chickens of Marshal Breed-were used to investigate the response of yamsweet
potato peel meal mixture in place of maize in broiler chickens diet. They were allocated to four dietary
treatments, each treatment was replicated thrice and 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design.
Diet 1 was maize-based diet (control), while diets 2,3 and 4 contained yam-sweet potato peel meal in a ratio of
3:2 at 5%, 10% and 15% level of inclusion in place of maize respectively. This experiment lasted for 49 days
and the birds were fed ad-libitum. The proximate and gross energy of test ingredient were as follows: Crude
protein (8.69%), Ether extract (1.84%), Ash (11.7%), Crude fibre (8.27%), dry matter (90.11%) and gross
energy (3.109kcal/g). The anti-nutritional factors contained in the test ingredient include: hydrogen cyanide
(6.34mg/kg), phytate (0.945%), tannin (0.663%) and trypsin inhibitor (0.00TIU/mg). For growth performance,
there was no significant difference (p>0.05) for all the parameters considered. The feed cost analysis shows
that Diet 2 has the least cost/kg weight gain and the highest Gross margin among others. The cost/kg of test
diets were significantly (p<0.05%) lower than the control diet. Considering the least value for cost/kg weight
gain at N305.32 and highest value for gross margin, diet 2 at 5% dietary inclusion of test ingredient was
recommended.