GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING SUN DRIED CASSAVA PEEL MEAL BLENDED WITH PALM OIL SLUDGE

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the growth performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of sun-dried Cassava Peel Meal mixed with Palm Oil Sludge (CPMPOS). One hundred and fifty(150)day-old chicks of agritted breed were used for the experiment. The birds were randomly assigned to five different dietary treatments with thirty, birds (30) per treatment. Treatments were replicated three times with 10 chicks per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The dietary groups were designated asT1 for control (0 % CPMPOS), T2 (2.5 % CPMPOS), T3 (5 % CPMPOS), T4 (7.5% CPMPOS) andT5 (10% CPMPOS). The experiment lasted for fifty-six days. Data were collected on growth indices and economics of production was computed.In the starter stage, the results showed that there were no significant differences (p>0.05) in all parameters which are initial body weights, final body weights, total body weight gains, average body weights, average feed intake and feed conversion ratio, while in cost benefit analysis, the costs of production of birds that were feddiets2,3,4 and 5 were all cheaper than that of diet 1 which is control diet with diet 2 attracting the least cost. The finisher phase results showed that there were significant differences (P<0.05) between the treatment groups in the initial body weights of the experimental birds. Birds fed diet T3 scored the best value of 1504.67 g. The finisher phase recorded significant difference on the feed conversion ratio among the treatment groups with treatment 5 scoring the best value of 1.77. In the cost benefit analysis, the cost of production of birds fed diets 2,3,4 and 5 were all cheaper than that of 1 with treatment 3 attracting the least cost.The study concluded that cassava peel meal mixed with palm oil sludge (CPMPOS) can be included up to 10kg level in the diet of broiler chicken to enhance growth which leads to high yield of saleable cut parts and better economic returns