Cassava Root Meal Research Articles

Blood chemistry, haematology and ileal bacterial counts of broilers fed fermented mixture of cassava root meal and palm kernel cake

A study on blood chemistry, haematology and ileal bacterial count of broilers fed fermented mixture of grated cassava tubers and palm kernel cake (FCP-mix) as a replacement for maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels of inclusion was undertaken. 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 with diet 1 containing maize as the major energy source, while diet 6 containing fermented cassava root meal (CRM) and palm kernel cake (PKC) at the ratio of 1:1 as the main energy source. Diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained FCP-mix at 25, 50, 75 and 100% as replacement for maize. Diets 1 and 6 served as controls. Each group was assigned to one experimental diet in a completely randomized design. Blood samples for analysis and ileal bacterial count were obtained from each replicate, and data obtained were analysed statistically. Results show the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), total red cell count (tRBC), mean cell volume (MCV) and platelets were not significantly affected by the inclusion of FCP-mix based diets, but there are significant variations in total white blood cell (tWBC), lymphocyte and heterophil count. Serum biochemistry data were not affected except for serum calcium, conjugated bilirubin and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels that were significantly affected. Mean intestinal Escherichia coli count were reduced at 50 and 75% replacement of maize by FCP-mix whereas at 100% replacement level, salmonella counts decreased by 50%, and E. coli counts became negligible. It is therefore concluded that FCP-mix has some probiotic activity which can be used to enhance performance of broilers and improve product quality.

Effects of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Root Meal in Diets Containing Corn Dried Distillers Grains With Solubles on Production Performance, Egg Quality, and Excreta Noxious Gas Emission in Laying Hens

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to evaluate effects of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal (CRM) in laying hen diets containing corn dried distiller grains with soluble (DDGS) on production performance, egg quality, and excreta noxious gas emission. Two hundred and forty Hy-Line brown laying hens (40 weeks of age) were randomly divided into 1 of 4 dietary treatments (10 replications with 6 hens per replication) for 6 weeks. The dietary treatments were as follows: 1) corn-based diet (CON); 2) diet containing 10% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM10); 3) diet containing 20% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM20); 4) diet containing 30% CRM and 8% DDGS (CRM30). The inclusion of 30% CRM in the diet containing 8% DDGS significantly decreased (p 0.05) the egg quality with the exception of decreased (p<0.05) egg yolk color when 30% of CRM was included in laying hens diet. CRM20 and CRM30 dietary treatments tended to decrease ammonia emission compared with CON dietary treatment (p=0.08). In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that CRM may be incorporated to a concentration of 20% in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS without detrimental effects on production performance and egg quality. Furthermore, the addition of 20% and 30% CRM in laying hen diets containing 8% DDGS tended to reduce the excreta ammonia emission.

Biologic and Economic Performance of Broiler Chickens Fed Cassava Root Meal “Garri” as a Substitute for Maize.

56days experiment was carried out to study the effect of substituting dietary maize with graded levels of cassava root meal “Garri” in broiler chicken diet. The percentage dietary maize in the diet was gradually substituted with cassava root meal at 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% respectively in a Completely Randomized Design. Two hundred and twenty (220) day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the treatments. Each treatment consists of 20 chicks replicated twice with 10 chicks per replicate. Mean weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio of birds fed diets 1 and 2 were significantly (P 0.05) influenced, but others were. Valuesobtained were also within the range reported for healthy birds. The cost variables were significantly (P<0.05) influenced and showed an inverse relationship with the increase substitution of maize with cassava root meal. In conclusion, cassava root meal “Garri” might have depressed revenue slightly it cannot be said to be unprofitable, so it is recommended even at 100%.

COEFFICIENTS OF ENERGY AND NUTRIENT APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY OF THREE RAW AND COOKED ALTERNATIVE PLANT INGREDIENTS FOR Colossoma macropomum AND Piaractus brachypomus (SERRASALMIDAE)

The coefficients of the apparent digestibility for dry matter, crude protein, crude lipid and gross energy in cooked and raw green plantain meal (GPM), cassava root meal (CRM), and peach palm meal (PPM) were determined for juveniles of black pacu (60.8 ± 6.4 g) and red pacu (76.3 ± 5.0 g). The ADC of each alternative ingredient was determined by comparison of the digestibility (based on recovery of 1% chromic oxide as an inert marker) of a reference diet (consisting of 70% of test diet and 30% of the feedstuff) against with a test diet (24.5% of crude protein). Fish were bred in a recirculation system including 42, 110-L glass aquaria (21 tanks per species) at a density of five fish per tank, and fed their respective diets to apparent satiety, twice a day. Feces were collected after 10 days in plexiglass fecal collectors. Apparent digestibility coefficients of crude protein, crude lipid and gross energy from raw and cooked GPM and CRM were low compared to values to other common vegetal ingredients like corn and wheat. Conversely, ADC values for raw and cooked PPM were, in most cases, higher than those reported in raw or cooked GPM and CRM. In comparison with other traditional feedstuffs, apparent utilization of PPM was similar to corn and higher than reported for soybean meal and wheat bran in these fish species. Peach palm meal appears to have good potential as a feed ingredient in low-cost diets for pacu species.

Performance of Weaner Rabbits Fed Dietary Levels of Cassava Root Meal

Introduction: The performance of growing rabbits fed cassava root meal as replacement for maize were studied using twenty cross-breed Weaner rabbits. Methods: The cassava root meal was included at 0, 25, 50 and 75% to replace maize in the diets designated as diets 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The rabbits were randomly allocated to four diets. The rats had access to feed and water provided ad libitum throughout the experimental period of 48 days. Results: The results showed a non significant treatment effect on all the performance parameters. The daily feed intake (35.132–47.36 g), daily weight gain (7.84–12.56 g) and feed conservation ratio (3.56–4.48 g) were not influenced by the dietary levels of cassava root meal. The feed cost per kg and feed cost per weight gain showed progressive decrease with increase in the CRM inclusion levels. Conclusions: The carcass analysis also showed a non significant treatment effect on most of the parameters measured except the weight of the legs that was affected. In conclusion, CRM can be included in Weaner diets of rabbits as an energy source at 50% level of replacement for maize without compromising performance and carcass yield, with concomitant reduction in feed cost.

Effect of Spondias mombin on Intake and Digestibility in West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Graded Level of Whole Cassava Root Meal Based Diet

Effect of Spondias mombin on Intake and Digestibility in West African Dwarf Sheep Fed Graded Level of Whole Cassava Root Meal Based Diet

Comparative Evaluation of Composite Cassava Root Meal, Palm Oil and Crayfish Waste Mixture as Substitute for Maize in Broiler Chicken Diet

Comparative Evaluation of Composite Cassava Root Meal, Palm Oil and Crayfish Waste Mixture as Substitute for Maize in Broiler Chicken Diet

Effect of fungal fermentation with Aspergillus niger and enzyme supplementation on metabolizable energy values of unpeeled cassava root meal for meat-type cockerels

A preliminary in vitro fermentation of unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM) using Aspergillus niger was conducted followed by a force-feeding experiment to investigate the effect of fungal fermentation and enzyme supplementation on metabolizable energy values of UCRM for meat-type cockerels. Thirty two (32) cockerels (Ross 308, 10-week-old) were assigned to four treatment groups consisting of 8 birds per treatment laid out in a 2×2 factorial arrangement involving fermented or non-fermented UCRM supplemented with or without commercial enzyme. Additional 8 birds were also used for endogenous study. Compositional analysis of the fermented UCRM showed reduced (P<0.05) dry matter, ash, crude fibre, NDF, ADF, resistant starch, K, Mg, P, increased (P<0.05) hemicellulose and amylopectin content following fungal fermentation with A. niger. The concentration of glutamine, glycine and proline in fermented UCRM reduced (P<0.05) while phenyl alanine content increased (P<0.05) following fungal fermentation. Fungal fermentation improved (P<0.01) AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn values of UCRM for cockerels. Enzyme supplementation of fermented UCRM resulted in higher (P<0.01) AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn values than unfermented UCRM. In conclusion, fermentation of UCRM supplemented or not with exogenous enzyme showed prospect for improved metabolizable energy values for cockerels.

Feeding Value of Some Cassava By-Products Meal for Poultry: A Review

Cassava root meal which has been used as good alternative energy source in poultry and pig diets is increasingly becoming an important energy source for feeding the world’s human population. There are however, several by-products of cassava harvest ranging from the leaves, peels and pulp which have potential as feed ingredients in poultry rations. Cassava peels and pulps are moderate to high in energy and have been included in diets as replacements for conventional energy sources. Cassava leaves, moderate to good protein contents, have been used as protein supplements. Dietary recommendations of cassava by-products for poultry have varied considerably. The major factors limiting the efficient utilization of these byproducts in poultry diets include the high fibre and low energy contents and likely presence of antinutritional factors, mainly hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in the bitter variety of cassava. Several technologies have been used to improve the utilization of cassava by-products by poultry. The following paper reviewed the composition of some cassava by-products (leaves, peels and pulp), their recommendations for inclusion in poultry diets and processing methods to maximize their utilization by poultry. It was concluded that efficient use of cassava by-products will reduce feed cost of poultry production and provide additional source of income to cassava farmers and processors.

Desempenho de frangos caipiras alimentados com farelo integral de mandioca

&lt;p&gt;Objetivou-se avaliar o desempenho produtivo e características de carcaça de frangos caipiras alimentados com dietas contendo farelo integral de mandioca em níveis crescentes de inclusão de 12, 24, 36 e 48%. Foram utilizados 360 pintos, machos da linhagem Label Rouge, com oito dias de idade, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e seis repetições, contendo 12 aves por parcela. As aves foram alimentadas com dietas isoproteicas e isocalóricas dos oito aos 84 dias. Os parâmetros avaliados foram consumo de ração, ganho de peso, conversão alimentar. Foram abatidas duas aves por parcela com desvio padrão de ± 5% do peso médio da parcela para avaliação do rendimento de carcaça e de cortes comerciais, asa, peito, coxa, sobrecoxa, dorso, gordura abdominal e vísceras comestíveis (fígado, coração e moela). Os dados foram submetidos a analises de variância e regressão ao nível de 5% de probabilidade com uso do programa computacional SAS (2001). Conclui-se que houve aumento linear no ganho de peso das aves e no consumo de ração com o aumento dos níveis de inclusão do farelo integral de mandioca, podendo ser utilizado em até 48% na ração sem prejuízo do desempenho zootécnico.&lt;/p&gt;

Growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens fed commercial finisher and cassava copra meal-based diets

A three-week experiment was conducted to investigate the utilisation of a diet based on cassava root meal and copra meal by finishing broiler chickens. A total of ninety-six 21-day-old Cobb broilers were used for the experiment. The birds were weighed and allotted to six pens containing 16 birds each. A finisher diet based on cassava and copra meal and a commercial broiler finisher diet were fed each to three randomly selected pens for a period of 21 days. Results showed poorer (P < 0.05) final body weight, daily feed intake, daily gain and feed: gain ratio of birds fed the test feed compared to those fed the control commercial feed, but feed cost of meat production (WST$/kg live weight) was reduced (P < 0.05) on the test feed. Birds on the commercial feed had higher (P < 0.05) carcass and breast meat yields, while the yields of thighs and drumsticks were not affected (P > 0.05) by the diet. There were no treatment effects (P > 0.05) on the weights of the liver, heart and caeca, but birds on the test feed recorded higher (P < 0.05) weights of the pancreas, gizzard and small intestine. Birds fed the control commercial feed deposited more (P < 0.05) fat than those fed the test feed. It was concluded that cassava copra meal-based finisher diets could be used to reduce cost of meat production and abdominal fat content and thus meat quality of broiler chickens. Further research into appropriate combinations of these ingredients for optimum growth and feed utilisation by broilers is recommended.

Digestible energy of unpeeled cassava root meal and its effect on growth performance and carcass traits in rabbits

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of cassava root meal (891 g dry matter [DM]/kg, 639 g starch/kg, 74.1 g neutral detergent fibre [NDF]/kg, and 26.6 g crude protein [CP]/kg) in diets for growing rabbits. In the first experiment, a basal diet (419 g NDF/kg and 181 g CP/kg) and a test diet, in which cassava replaced 25% of the DM of the reference diet, were used. Twenty 50-d-old New Zealand White rabbits weighing 1474±10 g were randomly assigned to the 2 treatments, and digestibility of DM and gross energy (GE) were determined. The inclusion of cassava root meal in the diet increased DM digestibility (67.0±0.80 vs. 58.0±1.12%, P&lt;0.01) and digestible energy (DE) content (11.86±0.16 vs. 10.45±0.22 MJ/kg, P&lt;0.01). Digestible DM and DE contents of the unpeeled cassava root meal, obtained by the substitution method, were 943.3±15.8 g/kg and 15.28±0.32 MJ/kg. In the second experiment, 5 experimental diets were formulated to contain 150 g CP/kg, 184 g acid detergent fibre/kg and 10.9 MJ DE/kg, and increasing levels (0, 7, 14, 21 and 28%) of unpeeled cassava root meal, mainly in substitution of corn. A growth trial was carried out using 90 rabbits from the Botucatu genetic group from weaning (35 d, weighing 951±13 g) up to 71 d of age. The rabbits were housed in pairs, and randomly assigned to the 5 treatments (9 replicates/ treatment). No effect of the substitution of corn with cassava root meal was detected on growth performance (growth rate, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, on av. 44.6±0.50 g/d, 132±1.4 g/d and 2.97±0.028 g/g, respectively). The level of inclusion of cassava root meal had a quadratic effect (P=0.005) on the dressing out percentage, showing a minimal value (51.2%) for inclusion of 139 g/kg. No other effect was observed on slaughter and reference carcass weights (2383±19 and 1238±11 g, respectively). Unpeeled cassava root meal may be used to completely replace corn in the diet, supporting high performance in growing rabbits, but its effects on carcass traits should be investigated further.

Effect of feeding cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal on growth performance, hydrocyanide intake and haematological parameters of broiler chicks.

The effect of feeding cassava root meal on growth performance, hydrocyanide intake, haematological indices and serum thiocyanate concentration of broiler chicks was investigated using 300-day-old male broilers. There were five dietary treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of two processing methods of cassava root (peeled and unpeeled) included at two levels (100 and 200 g/kg) plus a control diet (maize-based diet, containing no cassava root). Each treatment was replicated six times with ten birds per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 28 days. Control-fed birds had the highest overall (P < 0.01) final liveweight and weight gain, least (P < 0.05) hydrocyanide (HCN) intake and best (P < 0.05) feed-to-gain ratio. Chicks fed with control and diet containing 100 g/kg peeled cassava root meal (PCRM) had the least (P < 0.05) feed cost per weight gain. Chicks fed with diet containing 100 g/kg cassava root meal had higher (P < 0.05) final liveweight and weight gain and reduced (P < 0.05) HCN intake than chicks fed with diet containing 200 g/kg cassava root meal. Dietary inclusion of peeled cassava root meal (PCRM) for broiler chicks resulted in increased final liveweight (P < 0.05), weight gain (P < 0.01) and feed intake (P < 0.01) when compared with birds fed with diet containing unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM). The least (P < 0.01) final liveweight and weight gain and worst (P < 0.05) feed-to-gain ratio were obtained with chicks fed with diet containing 200 g/kg UCRM. Increased dietary inclusion levels of cassava root resulted in significant increase (P < 0.05) in white blood cell (WBC) count, heterophil count and serum thiocyanate concentration. In comparison with chicks fed with diet containing UCRM, dietary inclusion of PCRM resulted in increased (P < 0.05) red blood cell (RBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and reduced (P < 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) count and serum thiocyanate concentration. Although inclusion of 100 g/kg PCRM showed some economic sense, dietary inclusion of either peeled or unpeeled cassava root poses a threat on growth and health status of broiler chicks.

Influence of varying levels of supplemental cassava root meal without or with groundnut cake on performance of growing Laisind cattle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of varying levels of cassava root meal (CRM, 300 and 1,000 g), without or with 700 g groundnut cake (GNC) on intake and performance of growing Laisind cattle fed with a basal diet of urea-treated rice straw (URTRS). Twenty-four male cattle of crossbred Laisind (50% Red Sindhi and 50 % local Yellow, both Bos indicus), from 15 to 17 months of age, 165-175 kg body weight, were used. They were assigned to a completely randomized block design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (two CRM levels and two GNC levels). Intake of URTRS (interaction, P < 0.01) and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber (interaction, P < 0.05) decreased as CRM level increased on the diets without GNC but was not affected by CRM level on the diets with GNC. The total dry matter intake (interaction, P < 0.05) and live weight gain (LWG) (interaction, P < 0.001) increased as CRM level increased on the diets with GNC, but no difference was observed on the diets without GNC. In conclusion, supplementation of 1,000 g CRM should be in combination with 700 g GNC to avoid the negative effects on URTRS intake and digestibility, therefore improving LWG of growing Laisind cattle fed on a URTRS-based diet.

Growth Performance, Carcass Measurements and Organs Weight of Broiler Chickens Fed Cassava Copra Meal-based or Commercial Finisher Diets in Samoa

A three-week experiment was conducted to investigate the utilisation of a diet based on Cassava Root Meal (CRM) and copra meal by finishing broiler chickens. A total of (96) 21-day old Cobb broilers were used for the experiment. The birds were weighed and allotted to 6 pens containing 16 birds each. A finisher diet based on cassava and copra meal and a commercial broiler finisher diet were fed each to 3 randomly selected pens for a period of 21 days. Results showed poorer (p 0.05) by the diet. There were no treatment effects (p>0.05) on the weights of the liver, heart and ceaca, but birds on the test feed recorded higher (p<0.05) weights of the pancreas, gizzard and small intestine. Birds fed the control commercial feed deposited more (p<0.05) fat than those fed the test feed. It was concluded that cassava copra meal-based finisher diets could be used to reduce cost of meat production and carcass fat content and thus meat quality of broiler chickens. Further research into appropriate combinations of these ingredients for optimum growth and feed utilisation by broilers is recommended.

Coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility of some feedstuffs for Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

This research aimed at evaluating the coefficients of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of dry matter (DM), gross energy (GE) and crude protein (CP) for conventional products (whole ground corn, wheat middlings, soybean oil, broken rice and whole ground sorghum) and alternative by-products (cassava root meal, mesquite pod meal and copra meal) by tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum). A semi-purified reference diet containing 345gkg−1 CP and 13.44MJDEkgdiet−1 was used and test diets were produced by incorporation of test ingredients in a 7:3 ratio (700gkg−1 reference diet and 300gkg−1 test ingredient). Chromic oxide was used as an indigestible inert marker at 1gkg−1 and feces were collected following a modified Guelph procedure. CTTAD of DM ranged from 0.426 to 0.838 among the feedstuffs. CTTADs of GE showed trend similar to DM, ranging from 0.449 to 0.927. Soybean oil, cassava root meal and broken rice had the highest CTTAD of GE while whole ground sorghum and mesquite pod meal showed the lowest values. The CTTAD of crude protein of the feedstuffs evaluated ranged from 0.714 to 0.875. These results indicate that copra meal and cassava root meal have great potential to replace commonly used ingredients in diets for tambaqui and further research to determine their level of inclusion is needed. Additionally, further research is necessary to determine if the fiber digestibility is influenced by dietary fat content in tambaqui diets. The CTTAD of protein above 0.700 observed in this study indicated that tambaqui is able to efficiently digest protein in several types of ingredients.

Utilization of unpeeled cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal supplemented with or without charcoal by broiler chickens

A 42-day feeding trial was conducted using 480-day-old, male Marshall broilers to study the utilization of unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM) supplemented with or without 6 g/kg charcoal. The experimental design was laid out in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments having three inclusion levels of UCRM (0, 100 and 200 g/kg) with or without 6 g/kg charcoal supplementation. Each treatment consisted of 80 birds replicated eight times with 10 birds per replicate. Main effect of inclusion level of UCRM and supplementation of charcoal showed reduced (p < 0.05) final live weight, weight gain, feed intake and apparent crude protein digestibility of the birds with increasing inclusion levels of UCRM. Birds fed diets supplemented with charcoal showed higher (p < 0.05) final live weight, weight gain and feed intake than birds fed diets without charcoal. Supplementation of charcoal in diet containing 100 g/kg UCRM resulted in improved (p < 0.05) weight gain when compared with birds fed similar diet but not supplemented with charcoal. Broilers fed diet containing no UCRM but supplemented with charcoal had the highest overall (p < 0.05) final live weight and weight gain, while birds fed diet containing 200 g/kg UCRM supplemented with charcoal recorded the poorest (p < 0.05) final live weight and weight gain. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum thiocyanate concentration increased (p < 0.05) with increasing dietary inclusion levels of UCRM. Dietary supplementation of charcoal resulted in increased (p < 0.05) concentration of serum glucose and cholesterol and reduced (p < 0.05) SGOT concentration. Birds fed diets containing UCRM had high (p < 0.05) serum thiocyanate concentration irrespective of dietary supplementation or not with 6 g/kg charcoal. In conclusion, supplementation of diet containing up to 100 g/kg UCRM with 6 g/kg charcoal showed improved weight gain without any deleterious effect on serum metabolites.

Effect of Sources of Fibre on Performance of Growing Snail

The proximate and physicochemical properties of cassava leaf and peel meals were evaluated with a view to possible replacement of wheat offal which is the conventional source of fibre in animal feed, with these meals. The effect of feeds produced with cassava leaf and peel meals on the performance of growing snails was also investigated. Feeds (F1, F2 and F3) were formulated to contain 240, 235 and 230 g/kg cassava root meal each and 85, 85 and 90 g/kg cassava peel meal, wheat offal meal and cassava leaf meal respectively. The formulated feeds contain approximately 18.0% crude protein, 7.5% ash, 3% fat, 6.0% crude fibre 8%, calcium, 0.7% phosphorus, and energy level of 2400 kcal ME / kg. A total of 54 growing snails ( Archachatina marginata ) were used to investigate the nutritive potential of the formulated feeds on performance of growing snails for 15 weeks. Concentrations of the crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, ash and calcium in cassava leaf meal were higher than those of wheat offal and cassava peel meal, with the exception of nitrogen free extract which was highest (70.01%) in cassava peel meal. Feed intake was 576 g 569 g and 581 g for snails fed with cassava leaf meal, cassava peel meal and wheat offal respectively but the corresponding weight gain ranged between 123.35 and 134.81 % being highest for F1. The feed conversion ratio shows that F1 > F3 > F2 indicating better conversion of feed to edible meat in F1. The results show that cassava leaves and peels have a strong potential to substitute the traditional wheat offal and can therefore be adapted as commercial feed ingredients.

Studies on Growth, Organs Weight and Haematological Parameters of Broiler Chicken Fed Graded Level of Sun Dried Cassava Root Meal

Ninety (90) day old broiler chicks were used to investigate the response of broilers fed sun-dried cassava root meal (CRM). Five diets at starter and finisher phases in which CRM replaced maize at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% and designated T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Diets were allocated to day old broiler chicks in a completely randomized design (CRD). Birds were raised on dip-litter system and the experiment lasted for eight (8) weeks. Feed intake was taken daily, while body weights were recorded weekly. On days 22 and 44 two millilitres (2ml) of blood were collected using sterile syringe and needle from the wing vein into vacutainer tubes containing 2mg ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) as anticoagulant from two birds in each replicate. At eight weeks of age, two birds per replicate were randomly selected and used for carcass analysis. At the starter phase, final weight, daily weight gain and feed intake were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher in T1 and T2 compared to other treatments. Feed conversion efficiency tend to increase as the inclusion level of CRM increased at (P&lt;0.05). No significant difference (P&gt;0.05) was observed among the treatments for haematological parameters (PCV, Hb, MCHC and Total Protein). Highest mortality at starter and finisher phases were recorded in T4 and T5. Generally, there was decrease in feed intake as the inclusion level of CRM increased. Inclusion of CRM at finisher phase significantly affects the weight of some internal organs in T2, T3 and T4 (P&lt;0.05). It is concluded that cassava root meal could be used to replace maize up to 25% without any adverse effect on the performance of broiler chicken.

Effect of daylight hours on performance of growing grasscutters

The grasscutter (Thryonomysswinderianus) holdspromise as a source of increased protein for populations of Sub-Sahara African countries. It is inexpensive to feed and features the feed utilization characteristics of ruminants and monogastrics. It is nocturnal in its activities, especially feeding. This experimentwas carried out to determine the effect of daylight hours or photoperiod on growing grasscutters under intensive rearing conditions. The effect of daylight hours on growing grasscutters was determined using sixteen 8-months old femalegrasscutters. Thegrasscutters were separated into four groups and allotted to four&#160; treatments of varying daylight hours. The treatments included; zero (0) hours of daylight and twenty four (24) hours (6.00 am-6.00 am) of darkness (0L:24D), six antemeridiem (am) hours (6.00 am-12.00 noon) of daylight and eighteen (18) hours (12.00 noon-6.00 am) of darkness(6L(am):18D), six post-meridiem (pm) hours (12.00 noon-6.00 pm) of daylight and eighteen (18) hours (6.00 pm-12.00 noon) of darkness (6L(pm):18D) and twelve (12) hours (6.00 am-6.00 pm) of daylight and twelve (12) hours (6.00pm- 6.00am) of darkness (12L:12D).Allgrasscutters were fedadiet containing 2200kilocalories metabolizable energy perkilogram (KcalME/kg) and crude protein (CP) level of 20%. Cassava root meal and wheat offalwere the main sources of energy, while soybean meal was the main source of protein in the diets. Elephant grass was fed as basal diet.The results showed thatforage, concentrate (diet) and total feed intake, and daily weight gain were significantly (P&lt;0.05) higher under the 6 post-meridiem hours of daylight and 18 hours of darkness (6L(pm):18D) than under other conditions. It was, therefore, concluded that the optimum daylight conditions required for the rearing of growing grasscuttersare the six (6) hours of post-meridiem daylight, followed by eighteen (18) hours of darkness.