WATER CONSUMPTION AND FAECAL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN COCKERELS FED DIETARY INCLUSION LEVELS OF FERMENTED CASSAVA TUBER WASTES (FCTW)

Abstract

Water consumption and faecal physical characteristics of cockerels fed fermented cassava tuber wastes (FCTWs) were investigated in a-sixteen-week study. The FCTWs were inoculated with two Lactobacilli (L. delbrueckii and Lcoryneformis) and a fungus (Aspergillus fumigatus) for their protein enrichment and fibre degradation. Seven experimental diets (control diet and Six (FCTW-based diets) designated as: D1 (Control Diet), D2, D3 and D4 (diets with inclusion of 20%, 40% and 60% Microbially Fermented Cassava peel [MFCP]) and D5, D6 and D7 (diets with inclusion of 20%, 40% and 60% Microbially Fermented Cassava Starch Residue [MFCSR] respectively), were fed to the cockerel birds. Daily water consumption of the birds was recorded for both the starter and finisher phases. Faecal parameters like consistency, volume, output and density were also determined for the two growth phases. The results showed that the total water intake (TWI) and the average water intake of the starter phase were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by the experimental diets with T2 (3412.50 46.03ml) and T6 (3012.30+95.76ml) having the highest and least total water intake respectively. Water comsumption at the finisher phase was however highest (10264.00+1198.70ml) in T7 and lowest(7631.40±838.08ml) in T4. The water intake decreased as the inclusion rate of FCTWs increased i.e from T1 T4 and also from T5 T6. Faecal physical characteristics were only significantly (P<0.05) influenced in terms of fresh faecal weight, faecal dry matter and faecal volume which were relatively higher in the CTW diets than in the Control at both the starter and finisher phases. The weight of the faecal dry matter increased with increasing dietary levels of the CTW. The faecal volume and density did not follow a particular trend with dietary treatments applied. This experiment showed that cassava tuber wastes could be incorporated into the diets of cockerel birds without deleterious effects on the water consumption and faecal physical characteristics but a tendency towards decrease in water consumption with increasing dietary levels of fermented CTW and a corresponding increase in faecal dry matter was observed.