Carcass Characteristics and Organ Weight of Broiler Chickens Fed Graded Levels of Tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) In Place of Maize

Abstract

Carcass characteristics and organ weights of broiler chickens fed graded levels of Tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) cocoyam was investigated using 120 Arbor-acre strain broiler chickens. They were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatment groups with 3 replicates and 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet 1 was maize based and served as control diet. The test ingredient replaced maize at 10%, 20% and 30% in diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Water and feed were offered ad-libitum for a period of 56 days. The proximate composition of test ingredient were as follows: Crude fibre (6.00%), Crude protein (6.725%), Ash (5.00), Moisture (9.00%), ether extract (0.33%), NFE (72.95%). The anti-nutritional factors of the test ingredient were as follows: phytate (0.02%), Oxalate (0.01%) and Hydrogen cyanide (11.2 mg/kg). The cut parts results revealed significant differences (p<0.05) for thigh and back cut only. The value for thigh and back cut were in favour of Diet 1 among other treatment means. The internal organ weights results showed significant differences (p<0.05) for all parameters measured except heart, liver, proventriculus and gizzard. Considering the highest value of the thigh (prime part) that was significantly (p<0.05) higher than all other diets, higher value of back cut and comparable values for organ weights, Diet 1 seems to be superior to others and hence, Tannia cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) cannot replace maize even at 10% dietary level of inclusion as far as cut parts and organ weights is concerned.