Abstract
The effect of replacing maize with graded levels of cassava root meal (CRM) as energy source in the diet of laying hens was evaluated during the eight weeks of feeding experiment on performance and cost benefits on layers. Forty-five Nera black laying hens of 24 weeks of age were allocated to five dietary treatments, with nine birds per treatment in a completely randomized design. CRM was used to formulate the diets at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The result showed that the feed intake of birds in the control group was significantly (p<0.05) different from those fed the CRM diets. The average weight gain of layers receiving up to 50% CRM was similar to the control birds, but significantly different from layers fed 75 and 100% CRM. No mortality was recorded. Egg production per hen per day and average egg weight were significantly different (p<0.05) for birds consuming more than 50% CRM in T4 and T5. Layer feed ration was made cheaper by the replacement of maize with cassava root meal in the diets.
Highlights
Poultry production in Nigeria has been affected by high cost of feeds, especially of conventional energy and protein feed ingredients
The cassava used for this study was obtained from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Sub zone Station, Ayepe in Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria
The dewatered cassava mash was broken into fine granules and was sun dried on black polyethylene sheets, after which it was milled in a hammer mill and packed in bags as cassava root meal (CRM)
Summary
Poultry production in Nigeria has been affected by high cost of feeds, especially of conventional energy and protein feed ingredients. According to Fafiolu et al (2004), a major problem that affects the poultry industries in the tropics is the escalating price of feed ingredients, such as maize and soya bean meal. Oruwari et al (2003) stated that with proper protein balance, cassava meal could completely replace maize in poultry diets. The use of cassava as an alternative to conventional energy feed stuffs like maize could help to reduce feed costs (Ukachukwu, 2005).
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