Performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing high-quality cassava peel

Abstract

Performance, carcass characteristics and cost benefit of broiler chickens fed diets containing high-quality cassava peel (HQCP) were investigated. A total of one hundred and fifty (150) Abor Acre strain of broiler chicks were purchased and raised at the Teaching and Research Farm of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State. Feeding trial were conducted to evaluate the effect of diets containing varying levels of high-quality cassava peel (HQCP) fine mash on broilers’ performance, carcass characteristics, and cost benefit. The birds were acclimatized for three weeks using commercial diets after which they were randomly assigned to four treatment groups; (Diet 1- 0 kg of HQCP, Diet 2- 10 kg of HQCP, Diet 3- 15 kg of HQCP and Diet 4- 20 kg of HQCP per ton of feed for 21 days. Each treatment was replicated into 3 with 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Data on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and feeding costs were collected and analyzed. The results showed significant (P<0.05) differences in final live weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing percentage, total feed cost, and feed cost per weight gain across the treatments. Diet 3 and Diet 4 produced birds with the highest live weights of 1.53 and 1.46 kg, respectively. The dressing percentage ranged from 60.53% (Diet 3) - 69.51% (Diet 2). Diet 3 had the lowest total feed cost (N764.67 /kg) while Diet 4 had the lowest feed cost per body weight gain (N1017.79) with a saving cost of N378.35. It was concluded that the replacement of maize with 20 kg high-quality cassava peel (HQCP) in broiler finisher diets improved production performance and saved cost.