MAXIMIZING THE ENERGY VALUE OF CASSAVA ROOT MEAL FOR BROILER NUTRITION IN THE HUMID TROPICS

Abstract

A 49 day feeding trial was conducted with 243 Early Strain Broiler chicken to evaluate the substitution value
of cassava flour for maize, with or without enzyme supplement (smart choice-enzyme). These chicks were
randomly allocated to nine dietary treatment (T,0%, T,, 25%; T,25% + enzyme; T,, 50%, T,, 50% + enzyme;
T,, 75%; T,, 75% + enzyme; T,, 100%, and T, 100% + enzyme) groups. Each treatment has a total of twenty-
seven (27) birds. This was replicated three (2) times with nine (9) birds per replicate in a Completely
Randomized Design (CRD). However, the results of the study showed that, in the growth performance, the birds fed 1, 2, 3 and 5 respectively were comparable and significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of diets 4,6,7,8, and 9 respectively in mean final body weight and average body weight gain. More so, enzyme supplementation significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed intake when compared with non-enzyme supplement. Also feed conversion ratio was shown to be significanily higher in enzyme supplementation (T,, T,T, andT,,) than values obtained from the non-enzyme supplemented diets (T,, T, and T,) except T,.. The economics production, the cost per kilogram of feed consumed was not affected by the experimental diet though cost of weight gain were Statistically (P<0.05) better in diets 3, 2, 1, 7 and 5 respectively when compared with other dietary groups (6, 8 and 4 respectively). The use of cassava flour as a substitute for maize showed a better profit margin when compared with the control diet. Itwas concluded that cassava flour with or without enzyme can economically replace 50% maize in the diets of broilers with no deleterious effects on production performance of the birds.