Growth performance of broiler chicks fed graded levels of processed taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) meal based diet

Authors

  • A. W. Ajetunmobi Adeniran Ogunsanya college of Education, Ijanikin, Lagos State
  • S. A. Eguaoje Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
  • C. A. Adeniji School of Agriculture, Lagos State University, Epe, Lagos
  • M. T. Omesa Devine Fisheries farm estate, 12 junction ring road, Redemption camp Ogun State
  • A. Iwegbu Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v46i3.991

Keywords:

Broiler Chicks, Taro Cocoyam, Growth Performance, Parboiled-Sundried

Abstract

An eight-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the growth performance characteristics of (120) broiler starter fed varying levels of parboiled sundried taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) meal (PSCM). Four treatments were formulated with diet one containing 100% maize as control, while in diet two, three and four parboiled sundried cocoyam meal (PSCM) replaced the percentage proportion of maize in diet one at 50, 75 and 100% inclusion level respectively. Thirty (30) birds were randomly assigned to the four treatment diets in a completely randomize designed (CRD) each treatment group comprising of three replicates with ten (10) birds each. Growth performance revealed a significant variation (P<0.05) in the values of final live weight, daily feed intake and weight gain with highest value (1.62kg, 480.00g and 62.00g/bird) among those fed 50% PSCM. Feed conversion ratio (13.02) was least and best among those on 50% PSCM and protein efficiency ratio was higher (0.06) among those fed the control. It is concluded therefore from this study that parboiled sundried taro cocoyam meal is a valuable replacement for maize up to 50% in broiler diets without adverse effects on the growth performance of starting broiler chickens.

Author Biographies

S. A. Eguaoje, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

A. Iwegbu, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Department of Animal Science

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Published

2019-11-06

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