Replacement Value of Enzyme Supplemented Dried Cassava Peel Meal for Whole Maize on the Performance of Laying Birds

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the replacement value of enzyme supplemented dried cassava peel meal (ESDCPM) for whole maize on the performance characteristics of laying birds. Sixty (60) laying birds were randomly assigned in triplicates of five birds per replicate to four experimental diets containing graded levels of EDSCPM at 0, 18, 36 and 54% respectively. Proximate composition of the dry cassava peel meal (DCPM) was determined at the beginning of the experiment. Results of the experiment indicated that the control (0%) and T2 (18%) ESDCPM inclusion had similar (p>0.05) and superior hen day production percentage (p<0.05) over diets containing 36% and 54% ESDCPM inclusion while feed intake were higher (p<0.05) for ESDCPM based diets. Total egg production was also negatively affected with increasing inclusion of ESDCPM in the diets. Cost implication revealed that eggs were cheaply produced with 0 % and 18 % ESDCPM. It can be concluded that ESDCPM can be used up to 18% for optimum production and cost effectiveness in the diets of laying birds.