Growth Performance and Cost Implication of Broiler Chickens fed Fortified Composite Cassava Stump Meal-based Diets

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of fortifying composite cassava stump meal with cassava leaf meal on growth performance and cost-implication of producing broiler-chickens. Composite cassava stumps were collected, crushed, pressed, subjected to heat treatment and then milled (CCSM). Cassava leaves were obtained, air-dried and milled (CLM). Thereafter, the CLM and CCSM were mixed together in ratio 1:9 to produce fortified composite cassava stump meal (FCCSM). The FCCSM was used as feed ingredient. 5 broiler-starter diets were formulated using FCCSM at the graded levels of 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% and designated diets I, II, III, IV and V, respectively. The same procedure was followed for the finisher phase. 150 broiler chicks of Abor-Acre breed were assigned to 5 dietary treatments of 3replicates at 10 chicks per
replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. The respective formulated diets and water were fed to the chicks ad libitum from 1 – 49 days. All data collected were subjected to Analysis of variance using SPSS version 17 package. Results shows that highest total weight gain (2477±159.10g/bird) and best FCR (2.12±0.01) were obtained with birds fed diet I, while the lowest total weight gain (2040.28±159.59g/bird) and poorest FCR (2.68±0.05) were observed with birds fed diet IV. Bird fed diet V yielded highest profit (N807.35±12.88). Based on this study, it is recommended that 20% FCCSM can be included in broiler diet without adverse effect on growth performance and also give the highest returns on the production process.