EGG PRODUCTION PERFORMANCE OF ISA BROWN LAYER CHICKENS FED CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta ) PLANT MEAL-BASED DIETS

Abstract

One thousand (1,000) nineteen (19) weeks old Isa Brown pullets were randomly assigned to four experimental diets in a completely randomised design study that lasted sixteen (16) weeks. It evaluated the laying performance of the pullets. There were 10 replicates per treatment with each replicate comprising 25 laying pullets. Three cassava plant meal products (CPMs) were developed; CPM 1: Cassava leaves (27.78%) + Tender stem (5.56%) + unpeeled tuber (66.67%); CPM 2: cassava leaves (23.81%) + Tender stem (4.76%) + unpeeled tuber (71.43%) and CPM 3: Cassava leaves (20.83%) + Tender stem (4.17%) + unpeeled tuber (75%). The CPMs were then used to constitute three experimental diets. The diets were 100% cassavabased in replacement of maize and a control diet of maize based making four experimental diets. Diets CPM 2 (1.99) or CPM 3 (1.90) supported efficient egg production in terms of FCR/Kg egg mass as maize based diet.