Cassava Root Meal Research Articles

REPLACEMENT OF MAIZE WITH CASSAVA ROOT MEAL EITHER ALONE OR MIXED WITH BREWERS YEAST SLURRY IN DIETS FOR GROWING-FINISHING PIGS

Twenty four (24) crossbred grower pigs of Large White, Landrace, Hampshire and Duroc breeds, which averaged 43.96kg liveweight, were allocated in groups of4 pigs and two replicates, to each of 3 diets. Diet I was a maize-based control while in diets II and III, cassava root meal (CRM) solely, or its mixture with brewers yeast slurry (CRM-BYS) replaced all of the maize in the control. The pigs were group - housed in concrete floor pens where they were fed the test diets to appetite, and had water ad libitum over a 30-day period. Performance parameters were measured during this period, and at the end of it, 4 pigs from each treatment were slaughtered and their carcasses characterized. Average daily feed (ADF), average daily gain (ADG), feed/gain ratio for diets I, II and III were 2.08, 2.07, and 2.01 kg; 0.63, 0.60 and 0.64 kg; 331, 3.48 and 3.15 respectively. The differences were not significant (P >.05). Feed cost/kg liveweight gain was significantly (P< .05) reduced from N19.43 to N14.65 and N11.28 when dietary maize was replaced by CRM and CRM/BYS respectively. Linear and jointed carcass measures, and organ weight did not differ significantly (P>.05) in the different diets. These data show a net advantage of replacing dietary maize with cassava root meal or its mixture with brewers yeast slurry for growing-finishing pigs under the defined conditions.

Response of Laying Hens to total Dietary Replacement of Maize with Cassava.

he response of Isa Brown laying hens during 77–85 weeks of age to peeled unfermented cassava root meal (CRM) as total substitute for maize in diet was examined. Eighty (80) hens were assigned to four dietary treatment groups (T1,T2,T3 and T4) in a completely randomized design. The control diet (CD) contained 40% maize while the proportion of maize in the CD was replaced with 100, 110 and 120% CRM amounting to 40, 44 and 48% of cassava in diet for T2, T3, and T4 respectively. All diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The CRM diets produced statistically significant (p<0.05) improvements by leading to lower feed intake, better feed conversion and increased hen day production (HDP) with increasing levels of CRM in diet. Although the eggs obtained from birds fed the CD had significantly higher yolk weight than those from the CRM, there was no significant difference (p>0.05) in egg weight in all treatment groups. The best overall performance was achieved from birds fed 48% (120% replacement) cassava diet.

Shrimp waste meal supplementation of cassava products based diet fed to broiler chickens

With the objective of investigating shrimp waste (SWM) and cassava leaf (CLM) meals as cheap alternatives and protein source mixtures that would best complement cassava root-soybean ration in total replacement for maize in broiler diets, six iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets were evaluated using two weeks old Anak broilers in a growth and digestibility trial lasting seven weeks. Diet I was a maize-soybean based control diet while diets 2 to 6 contained whole cassava root meal (WCRM) in total replacement for maize, energy for energy. Diet 2 had soybean meal (SBM) as a major source of protein taking the protein supplied by SBM in diet 2 as 100%, SBM, CLM and SWM were combined thus in diets 3/0.5SBM: 0.5SIM), 4 (0.5SBM: 0.25SWM: 0.25CLAI), 5(0.25 SBM: 0.5SWM: 0.25CLM) and 6(0.5 SWM: 0.5 CL11). Average daily feed intake, weight gain (P< 0.01) and efficiency of feed conversion (P<0.05) were significantly influenced by dietary treatments. Results indicate that replacing up to 50% supplemental protein of soybean meal with equal proportion of supplemental protein from SWM and CLM had no deleterious effects on rate and efficiency of weight gain in broiler chickens. While nutrient and energy digestibility and carcass characteristics except dressing percentage were unaffected by dietary treatment, there was indication that organs such as gizzard and small intestine were significantly tasked for digestive function, evident from the considerable increase in their weights in birds fed diets in which over 50% of soybean protein was replaced by SWM and CLM. Based on the observation from this study, it can be concluded that not more than 50% of the dietary protein contributed by soybean should be replaced by SWM and CLM as doing otherwise would bring about a worsening effect on the performance of broilers.

RESPONSE OF WEANER-GROWER PIGS TO DIETS CONTAINING SUN-DRIED MIXTURES OF BREWERS YEAST SLURRY WITH MAIZE GRAIN AND CASSAVA ROOT MEAL.

Brewers yeast slurry (BYS) was mixed with ground maize grain (GMG) at 1:1 and 1:1.5 ratios W/W and with cassava root meal (CRM) at 1:1 ratio w/w and were sun-dried to moisture contents of 10% or less within 48 hr. Two separate feeding trials were conducted to determine performance of weaner-grower pigs fed diets containing the BYS mixtures. In the first trial, 3 diets were formulated; the maize-based control (GMG 1), and those containing mixtures of GMG and BYS at 1.5:1 (MYS2) and 1:1 (MYS3) ratios w/w. Three-way crossbred weaner pigs of Large White, Landrace and Hampshire breeds averaging 11.78kg liveweight and approximately 8 wk old were allocated in groups of 4 and fed each of the 3 test diets in two replicates, for 35 days. Performance data showed that ADG, ADF, Feed conversion ratio and feed cost/kg liveweight gain (N) were 0.43, 0.42, 0.40 kg; 1.03, 0.95, 0.96 kg; 2.59, 2.35, 2.39 and 17.28, 14.78, 14.11 for CMG1, MYS2, MYS3, respectively. In the second 35-day feeding trial, approximately 14 wk old three-way crossbred pigs similar to the above, and averaging 25.60 kg liveweight were fed diets based on maize grain (MSB), cassava root meal alone (CRM), or CRM mixed with BYS (CYS). ADG, ADF, FCR ratio and feed cost/kg liveweight gain (N) for MSB, CRM, CYS were 0.58, 0.56, 0.66 kg; 1.63, 1.60, 1.71 kg; 2.84, 3.07, 2.62 and 16.68, 13.42, 9.46, respectively. The inclusion of BYS in diets reduced their cost and improved feed utilization with consequent reduced cost of weaner-grower pig liveweight gain.

REPLACING MAIZE WITH CASSAVA ROOT MEAL OR ITS MIXTURE WITH BREWERS YEAST SLURRY IN RABBIT DIETS

Three diets were evaluated for their effect on performance, carcass yield and organ measurements of finisher rabbits. The control was maize-based (MC) while, in the other two diets, cassava root meal (CR) or its mixture with brewers yeast slurry (CYS) replaced the maize. Five approximately 9-week old crossbred (Chinchilla X California X New Zealand White) rabbits which averaged 930g livewight, were allocated to each diet and fed individually for 70days. The rabbits were then slaughtered and their dressed carcasses and organs weighed. At 70days of feeding, the average livewighed of rabbits fed MC, CR and CYS were 2120g, 2026g and 2098g respectively. Average daily feed intake, average daily gain and feed conversion ratio were 66.80g, 64.92g and 60.70g, 15.65g and 16.29g and 3.92g and 4.15 and 3.64 for the respective diets. Warm dressing % and organ weight as percent of empty carcass weight did not differ significantly (P >0.05) among the diet. Kidney fat weight was lower (P <0.05) for CYS than for MC and CR. Replacement of maize with CR in the diet lowered (P < 0.05) rabbit performance while that with CYS allowed for more efficient utilization of the diet, and for leaner carcasses of rabbits

Nutritional evaluation of cassava root meal fermented with rumen filtrate in rats.

The study reported herein evaluates with rats the nutritional quality of cassava root meal (CRM) fermented with rumen filtrate using caged layer waste (CLW), pig excreta (PE) and a 1:1 mix of CLW and PE respectively as sources of nitrogen. Some safety aspects regarding possible feed use were also investigated. Wistar rats were fed five purified diets viz; a basal diet (nitrogen free), a reference diet that contained casein and three test diets made of the enhanced CRM. Dietary treatments significantly influenced performance, biological indices and blood parameters (P<0.05). The performances of rats on the enhanced cassava diets were inferior 10 that of rats on casein diet. The level of serum urea and thiocyanate were significantly elevated for rats on the cassava root-based diets compared to the casein diet. Among the enhanced cassava test protein, Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) values of 0.88, 0.57 and 0.62; Net Protein Ratio (NPR) values of 0.27, -0.15 and -0.03 and Biological Value (BV) of 55.04, 39.96 and 52.27 were obtained respectively for cassava enhanced with caged layer waste (CCLW), cassava enhanced with pig excreta (CPE) and cassava with 1.1 mix of caged layer waste and pig excreta (CCLPE). The result obtained from rats on CCLW was significantly better than the other enhanced cassava products.

Chemical composition of Manihot esculentum crantz (var. umucass 36)

Cassava (Manihot esculentum) is one of the most drought tolerant crops, adapted to varying agro-ecological zones and has a high potential for livestock and poultry production in Nigeria. Thus, proximate, macro and micro minerals, anti-nutrients, gross energy and amino acid profile of cassava (Manihot esculentum crantz var. UMUCASS 36) were carried out jusing freshly harvested cassava. The cassava root was washed, peeled and chopped into small pieces. This was oven dried and milled to form cassava root meal (CRM). The harvested leaf and petiole was chopped, oven dried and milled as cassava foliage meal (CFM). The tender, green apical part of the stem was equally harvested, chopped, oven dried and milled as cassava tender stem meal (CTSM) while the cassava composite meal(CCM) was a mixture of the root meal, foliage meal and the tender stem meal at the ratio of 10:4:1 respectively. The proximate, gross energy, macro (Na, P, K, Ca and Mg) and micro (Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) minerals, anti nutritional factors (hydrocyanic acid, tannin and trypsin inhibitor) and the amino acids were determined in line with the internationally accepted standard. There were significant (P<0.05) differences among various parts of the UMUCASS 36 cassava for all the parameters considered. The crude protein was least in cassava root meal (2.29%) and best in cassava foliage meal (21.79%). CCM had the highest (P<0.05) gross energy of 3.77kcal/g. CFM had the best contents of sodium (0.27%), potassium (0.88%) and phosphorous (0.38%).CRM had the highest value of calcium (0.29%), CTSM (potassium, 0.88%) and CCM (magnesium, 0.34%). In micro mineral contents, significant(P<0.05) differences existed across the parts examined. CFM was superior in both iron and zinc contents while CTSM had best values of copper and manganese. Hydrocyanic acid value ranged from 1.26mg/kg in CFM to 6.57mg/kg in CCM while trypsin inhibitor had highest value of 9.62TIU/mg in CRM and CFM had tannin value to be 0.086% being the highest. All the anti-nutritional factors measured were at tolerable levels to broiler chicken. Percentages of amino acids like arginine, cysteine, histidine, phenylalanine and valine in leaf meal were high with these values 6.46, 3.09, 1.34, 3.14, and 8.27% respectively. The nutritive contents of UMUCASS 36 revealed that the root meal with gross energy of 3.66Kcal/g is a potential energy source and therefore can be used as an energy source in poultry ration. The high content of crude protein and its attendant amino acids in the UMUCASS 36 foliage meal placed it at a better level for consideration as replacement for the expensive soybean.

Utilization of increasing levels of cassava root meal in the diet of broiler

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of using increasing levels of cassava root meal in the diet of broilers, estimated by the performance and yield of carcasses, cuts, and viscera over, in the period 10 to 42 days of life. A completely randomized design was carried out, with four treatments and four repetitions. The experimental unit consisted of 16 male and female Cobb 500 chickens (a total of 256 birds) that were 10 to 42 days old. The treatments consisted of four diets with 0%, 7.5%, 15%, and 22.5% of cassava root meal (CRM) in three feeding programs. At 42 days old, four birds per unit were slaughtered and the carcass yield, main cuts, and edible viscera were evaluated. The inclusion of levels of 15% and 22.5% of CRM in the diet of broiler had a negative influence on weight gain, food consumption, and feed conversion in the initial period and in the overall growth of the birds. Carcass yield, cuts, and viscera were not influenced by the diet. Based on the results, it is recommended that a maximum of 7.5% of the cassava root bran may be used in the diet of broilers of the Cobb 500 strain, over 10 to 42 days, without compromising the zootechnical performance of the birds or the yield of edible carcasses, cuts, and viscera.

Replacement value of unpeeled cassava rootmeal (UCRM ) for maize in weaner rabbit diets

Twenty four mixed breed (New Zealand x Chinchila) rabbits aged six weeks with average initial weight of 560g were used to examine the effect of replacing maize with unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM) on the performance, organoleptic properties and economy of rabbit production. The rabbits were divided into four groups and assigned to four treatment diets formulated with 0, 10, 20 and 30% UCRM respectively. Average live weight and weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the increasing levels of URCM, but feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly (P>0.05) affected. All the organoleptic properties were not affected significantly (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments. However, the increasing levels of UCRM reduced the cost per kg feed, seed cost per kg weight gain and cost of production of rabbits to matured weight. Therefore, the utilization of unpeeled cassava root meal us replacement for maize up to 30% level is profitable and feasible in rabbit diets formulation.

Nutritive value, growth performance and haematological parameters of West African dwarf sheep fed preserved pineapple fruit waste and cassava by- products

Twelve West African dwarf sheep, aged between 6 to 8 months and weighing 9 to 10.5 kg were randomly allocated to four treatments consisting of ensiled pineapple fruit waste and cassava root meal (CRM+PFW); sun-dried pineapple fruit waste (PFW); ensiled cassava peels and pineapple fruit waste (CP+PFW); cassava peel and cassava root meal (CP+CRM), to determine the performance, digestibility and haematological parameters in a completely randomised design in a 56 day feeding trial. The results revealed that there were differences (p<0.05) in the daily weight gain of the animals. Animals fed CP+PFW had significantly (p<0.05) higher daily weight gain than other treatments. Daily DM intake also followed the same trend. Daily weight gain observed for CRM+PFW, PFW, CP+PFW, CP+CRM were 23.57g/day, 59.28g/day, 66.43g/day and 40.71g/day, respectively. Sun-dried pineapple fruit waste diet induced (p<0.05) the highest water intake of 1.93litre/day. All the haematological and serum biochemical indices were influenced (p<0.05) by the treatments. Packed cell volume (PCV) ranged from 28% to 37%, while haemoglobin concentration (Hb) ranged from 9.5g/dl to 12.5g/dl. Albumin and total protein values ranged significantly (P<0.05) from 32.7 to 37.8g/dl and 41.7 to 78.2 g/l respectively. It was concluded that animals on CP+PFW had the best growth performance, hence, ensiled pineapple fruit waste +cassava peels can be recommended to sheep farmers for better intake and performance especially during the austere periods.

Bio-Economics Of Feeding Cassava Root Meal Based Diets to Broiler Finisher Chickens

A study was conducted to investigate the bio-economics of feeding broiler chickens graded levels of cassava root meal based diets, as replacement for maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% to form treatment diets T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 respectively, with adjustment in soybean levels across the treatment diets to have iso-nitrogenous diets. Two hundred and forty- 4 weeks old 'Amos' strain broiler chicks were in a completely randomized design allotted randomly to five treatment groups of 48 birds each and of three replicates with each replicate having 16 birds. Parameters measured included weight gain, feed intake, feed gain ratio, price per kg of feed, price per kg of broiler and weight of carcass cuts. Data were analyzed using analysis of variances. Daily weight gain for T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 were 41.16g/b/d, 39.43, 33.47, 25.25 and 16.91 g/b/d, respectively while, daily feed intake for T1 , T2 , T3 , T4 and T5 were 113.35g, 112.75, 102.31, 93.34 and 85.94g, respectively. Results showed weight gain feed intake and feed Conversion ratio values to be significantly (P<0.05) depressed as the level of replacement of maize with cassava root meal exceeded 25%. Among the carcass parameters, only the dressed carcass (%) and thigh (%) weight values showed significant (P<0.05) decrease as the level of replacement level of maize with cassava root meal exceeded 25% while, spleen (%) and liver (%) values showed progressive increase (P<0.05) in weight as the level of cassava root meal increased in the diets. Cost of feed decreased (p<0.05) significantly with the increasing level of cassava root meal. However, it did not translate to increase in price per kg of bird. It could therefore be suggested that cassava root meal should not exceed 25% as replacement for maize in broiler finisher diets, as beyond this level growth performance is adversely impaired.

Evaluation of physical and chemical properties of citric acid industrial waste.

This study aimed to evaluate physical and chemical properties and nutritive values of citric acid by-product (CABP) from cassava and to compare its properties with those of cassava root meal (CRM). The physical properties analyzed were color, bulk density, angle of repose, particle size distribution, and ultrastructure morphology. The chemical properties were determined using proximate analysis. Regarding the physical results, the CABP's color was darker, and its bulk density was greater by approximately 64.18% than those of the CRM (p < 0.05). The CABP's angle of repose was significantly lower (p < 0.05) with a freer flow, and the particle size was classified as small with fewer polygonal starch granules but more than the CRM. Regarding the chemical composition results, the CABP contained 0.71% citric acid with pH 4.68 whereas crude protein, ether extract, crude fiber, and gross energy were 6.11%, 2.39%, 18.26%, and 3588.10kcal/kg, respectively. CABP showed greater and significantly different crude proteins and ether extracts but less gross energy than the CRM (p < 0.05). The results imply that the CABP could be an alternative energy source and used as a CRM substitution in animal feed formulation.

Effect of isoamylase application on chemical characteristic of cassava root meal starch

Cassava root meal (CRM) is still rarely used as an ingredient for poultry feed. The high viscosity component can be reduced by enzymatic hydrolysis. However, there is limited information about enzyme treatment on cassava root meal. The objective was to identify and evaluate the effect of isoamylase hydrolysis on the chemical characteristic of hydrolyzed cassava root meal starch which has amylose/amylopectin ratio approached the corn. The cassava root meal was weighed each 200 g containing five levels of isoamylase (CRM-A) 0.01%, (CRM-B) 0.02%, (CRM-C) 0.03%, (CRM-D) 0.04%, (CRM-E) 0.05% (w/w) were moistened with 135 ml distilled water and incubated to at 50 °C for 12 hours. Total starch, amylose, amylopectin, total sugar, and reducing sugar content of hydrolyzed product were measured. The result showed that there were increasing of total starch and amylose content of hydrolyzed cassava root meal and decreasing in amylopectin content and amylose/amylopectin ratio. Reducing sugar increased along with increasing enzyme addition 1.81 – 3.07% DM which corresponds to degree of hydrolysis to 54.52 – 72.99%. It can be concluded that the different levels of isoamylase addition will produce cassava root meal starch with different chemical characteristics. The addition 0.05% isoamylase is able to make amylose/amylopectin ratio of hydrolyzed cassava root meal approached the corn.

IMPACT OF USING CASSAVA ROOT MEAL AND DIFFERENT COLORING AGENTS ON LAYING HEN PERFORMANCE AND EGG YOLK COLOR

IMPACT OF USING CASSAVA ROOT MEAL AND DIFFERENT COLORING AGENTS ON LAYING HEN PERFORMANCE AND EGG YOLK COLOR

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF NUTRITIVE POTENTIAL OF UMUCASS 36 CASSAVA ROOT MEAL AS SUBSTITUTE FOR MAIZE IN BROILER DIETS

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the nutritive potential of UMUCASS 36 cassava root meal as a substitute for maize in broiler diets. One hundred and fifty (150) one-week old Abor Acre strains of broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. They were replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate. The well processed cassava root meal was substituted for maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels and were respectively designated as diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The birds were fed and watered adlibutum for 49 days. The results show that birds fed diet 2 gave the best (P < 0.05) mean total weight gain (2033.00g), feed-to-gain ratio (2.10), least cost/kg weight gain (#286.47), and best realizable revenue (#2033.00) and gross margin (#286.47). It was also observed that UMUCASS 36 cassava root meal is rich in ether extract (4.10%), crude fibre (6.45%) and ash (7.56%). In conclusion, though the UMUCASS 36 cassava root meal is deficient in percent crude protein, it is rich in other essential nutrients and has the potential of being used as a dietary energy source in broiler diet. So, substituting maize for UMUCASS 36 cassava root meal at 25% optimized both feed and economic efficiency. It is therefore recommended as a diet of choice whenever high dressed yield and economic efficiency are reasons for broiler production. The other diets can also be used depending on the producer’s purpose and capability. Article DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.20319/mijst.2018.43.7986 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.

Growth response, nutrient digestibility and physical body measurements of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) fed whole cassava (Manihot esculenta) root meal fortified with selected fermented protein sources

Grasscutter serves as a major tool for improved household income generation, nutrition and bio-diversity in Nigeria. It provides a quick turnover, foreign exchange earner and reduce unemployment rate of the country.In order to assess the feeding values of concentrates used as supplement, studies were conducted in captivity to evaluate the performance of Grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus) using 20 growing Grasscutters comprising 16 females and 4 males who were balanced for weight and grouped into four treatments. Inclusion of whole cassava meal that was incorporated at 80% of the total bulk acted as the control(T0) while 10% of whole cassava root meal was replaced by fermented soybean meal in (T1), fermented locust bean meal in (T2) and fermented melon seed meal in (T3) respectively were considered as experimental using a complete randomized design. Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) was used as the basal diet and water were given ad libitum. There were significant difference in the final body weight gains (P&lt;0.05) between treatments. The mean final body weights were 1175.0 ±302.01, 1266.7±302.01, 1215±302.01 and 1143.0±302.01g for animals on T0, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The corresponding mean for final body weight gains were found to be 481±209.55, 536.7±209.55, 507±209.55 and 407±209.55g for T0, T1, T2 and T3 respectively. There were significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in the trunk length in T1 over T2, T0 and T3 and were recorded at the level of4.78±0.19, 4.56 ±0.18, 4.55 ± 0.18 and 4.12 ± 0.16 respectively. The nutrient digestibility of CP, EE, NFE, ADF and ADL were significantly different (P&lt;0.05). The whole cassava root that was combined with fermented soybean meal supported a highest growth rate than those of other treatments. It was therefore concluded that fermented soybean meal may be used as an ideal diet for sustainable Grasscutter production when whole cassava root is combined with this ingredient.J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(2): 254-259, August 2018

The nutritive value of cassava starch extraction residue for growing ducks

The cassava root meal (CRM) has been utilized as a cheap energy alternative to replace maize in poultry diets. Recently, the CRM in turn has an increasing demand for starch extraction industry, which renders large amounts of residues. This study evaluated the nutrient composition, amino acid profile, and feeding value of cassava starch extraction residue meal (CReM) for growing ducks. A total of 960, 11-day-old, ducklings were housed in 24 floor pens and allocated randomly into four dietary treatments: (i) 0CReM (control), (ii) 50g CReM/kg, (iii) 100g CReM/kg, and (iv) 150g CReM/kg. The analyses (/kg) of CReM showed high gross energy (3306.88kcal), ME (2109.54kcal), and starch (514.0g), with poor crude protein (20.9g) and moderate crude fiber (140.0g) and ash (60.0g) contents. The total amino acid (AA) content amounted to 19.9g/kg of CReM DM, in which the methionine, lysine, cystine, and isoleucine were present in low levels. The dietary inclusion of CReM up to 150g/kg, between 11 and 42days of age, had no significant effects (P > 0.05) on duck growth parameters, mortality, dressed weight, internal organs, or abdominal fat. Besides, the tested CReM levels did not show any significant effect on the blood proteins or liver enzymes. The results, therefore, revealed that the CReM contains a considerable amount of energy and could be incorporated successfully up to 150g/kg in the diets of growing ducks.

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING PULLETS FED CASSAVA ROOT-BASED DIETS

A 13-week study was carried out to investigate the potentials of peeled and unpeeled cassava roots as a substitute for maize in layers ration. Unpeeled cassava root meal was used at 3 levels of inclusion (25%, 50% and 100%) while the peeled cassava meal was used only at 25% level of inclusion in the diet. A total of 140 black harco pullets were randomly allotted to 5 experimental diets in line with cassava root meal inclusion as diet 1 (control diet without cassava root), diet 2 (25% unpeeled cassava root meal), diet 3 (50% unpeeled cassava root meal), diet 4 (100% unpeeled cassava root meal) and diet 5 (25% peeled cassava root meal). The study lasted for 13 weeks. No significant difference (p&lt;0.05) were observed in the values obtained across the treatment groups for feed intake. Birds that were fed with 100% unpeeled cassava meal (diet 4) had significantly lowered body weight gain when compared with birds that were fed with diets 1, 2, 3 and 5 which had similar values. No significant difference was observed in the feed conversion ratio of birds fed with diets 1,2,3 and 5 but these values were significantly lower that the value for diet 4. Other performance indices like age at first egg and hen day production at 24 weeks were not affected by cassava root meal inclusion in the diets. The cost of producing feed using cassava root meal was however cheaper than maize based diet.

Performance and meat quality characteristics of broilers fed fermented mixture of grated cassava roots and palm kernel cake as replacement for maize.

Performance and meat quality characteristics of broilers fed fermented mixture of grated cassava roots and palm kernel cake (FCP-mix) as a replacement for maize were studied. One hundred and eighty (180), 7-day-old broiler chickens were divided into six groups of 30 birds, and each group replicated thrice. Six experimental diets were formulated for both starter and finisher stages with diets 1 and 6 as controls. Diet 1 contained maize whereas diet 6 contained a 1:1 mixture of cassava root meal (CRM) and palm kernel cake (PKC). In diets 2, 3, 4, and 5, the FCP-mix replaced maize at the rate of 25, 50, 75, and 100%, respectively. Each group was assigned to one experimental diet in a completely randomized design. The proximate compositions of the diets were evaluated. Live weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass weight, and sensory attributes of the meats were obtained from each replicate and data obtained was analyzed statistically. The results showed that live weight, average daily weight gain (ADWG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), and FCR of birds on treatment diets were better than those on the control diets (Diets 1 and 6). The feed cost per kilogram weight gained decreased with inclusion levels of FCP-mix. Birds on diet 1 recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher dressing percentage than those on the other five treatments. The sensory attributes of the chicken meats were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the inclusion of FCP-mix in the diets. FCP-mix is a suitable substitute for maize in broiler diet at a replacement level of up to 100% for best live weight, carcass weight yield, and meat quality.

IMPROVING THE UTILIZATION OF CASSAVA ROOT MEAL IN LAYING HEN DIETS

A total number of 200 Lohman Selected Leghorn (LSL) laying hens 25 weeks of age were used to study the effect of using different levels of cassava root meal (CRM) on laying hen performance, egg quality, nutrients digestibility and economical efficiency. In this study, 0, 25 or 50% of CRM were used in isocaloric (2850 ME kcal / kg) and isonitrogenous (17 %) diets. Each level of CRM (25 or 50%) was supplemented with 0.0 or 0.20% of sodium thiosulfate (STS) as an attempt to improve the utilization of CRM in laying hen diets. Hens were kept in cages of wire floored batteries under similar conditions of management for 12 weeks experimental period. Water and feed (in mash form) were offered ad-libitum during the experimental period with 16 hours light/day regimen. The overall results showed that laying hen performance and nutrient digestibility values were decreased gradually with increasing dietary CRM level. While, adding sodium thiosulfate to dietary CRM improved the average values of both laying hen performance and nutrients digestibility comparing to those fed dietary CRM without supplementation. Data showed that there were no significant differences in the average values of egg quality (as shape index, shell thickness, Hugh units, egg total lipids and egg cholesterol) due to dietary CRM levels. However, adding 0.20% of sodium thiosulfate to dietary CRM improved the average values of economical efficiency. In conclusion, CRM could be used in laying hen diets up to 50% with addition of 0.2% sodium thiosulfate to improve laying hen performance and economical efficiency.