Performance of broilers’ finishers fed graded levels of Cassava peel -maggot meal- based diet mixtures

Abstract

The cost of maize is high due to competition between man and livestock hence there is need to look for alternatives. The project was conducted to determine the performance of broiler finisher fed cassava peel -maggot meal mixture as partial or total replacement for maize. Thirty birds each were randomly allotted to each of 4 dietary treatments, replicated thrice in a completely randomized design in which the maize fraction of the diet was replaced at 0%, 50%, 75% and 100% by cassava peel maggot- meal mixture (CPMM). The ratio of dry cassava peel to maggot meal was 4:1. Parameters measured or calculated include feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, dressing percentage and cost per weight gain. The results showed that feed intake increased with increased level of CPMM in the diet (P<0.05). Weight gain and feed conversion ratio were similar in broiler fed control diet (0% CPMM) and 50% CPMM. Cost per weight reduced from N131.81 (0% CPMM) to N76.69 (100% CPMM). Cassava peel-maggot meal mixture could be included up to 50% as replacement for maize in the diet of broiler finisher in order to reduce the total feed cost.