Cassava (Manihot esculenta) root chips inclusion in the diets of broiler chickens: effects on growth performance, ileal histomorphology, and cecal volatile fatty acid production.

Abstract

Exploration and evaluation of alternative feedstuffs in the poultry diets are critical to the industry when the prices of conventional energy sources (i.e., corn and wheat) fluctuate widely and are limited in supply. Cassava root chips (CRC) is rich in energy and fiber, and thus may serve as an alternative energy source in poultry diets, while the fiber in it will undergo microbial fermentation and improve the gut health of broilers. This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of different levels of CRC on the growth performance and gut health parameters of broiler chickens. A total of 180 day-old chicks were allocated randomly to 5 dietary treatments, each with 6 replicate pens. The 5 dietary treatments were the corn-soybean meal-based diets with 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, and 50% CRC inclusion in the 42-D feeding trial. Ileal histomorphology and cecal volatile fatty acid (VFA) were evaluated as indicators of gut health. Compared to the control group (0% CRC), broiler body weight was not different (P > 0.05) up to 25% CRC inclusion in the starter period (1 to 21 D) and up to 37.5% in the total study period (1 to 42 D). The average daily gain was significantly lower (P < 0.05) at 50% CRC inclusion in the starter period and for the total study period. Feed conversion ratio did not differ (P > 0.05) up to 37.5% CRC inclusion in the starter diet, and up to 50% CRC inclusion in the finisher diet. Villus height, crypt depth, their ratio, and villus surface area were not different among the treatments (P > 0.05). Total VFA and acetate production increased with the increasing dietary inclusion of CRC from 25 to 50%. In conclusion, CRC can be used to replace conventional energy feedstuff (like corn) up to 25 and 37.5% in starter and finisher diets, respectively. Use of CRC in diets may benefit broiler chickens' production by reducing feed costs and contribute to improving gut health.