Performance and some carcass measurements in starter broiler birds fed sweet potato meal (Ipomea batatas)

Abstract

A 28 day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the performance and some carcass measurements in starter broiler birds fed sweet potato meal. Three hundred and five (305) Anak broilers of one week old were randomly assigned to five treatment diets. Diets 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 contain 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% levels of sweet potato meal. Each treatment made up of 60 birds was replicated five times with twelve birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. The results of the experiment showed significant differences (p<0.05) in feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and cost of diet per Kg weight gain. The wing length, body length, body height, heart girth and drum stick did not differ (p>0.05) significantly. However, treatment T3 and T4 were found to be the most effective rations.

Keywords: Sweet potato meal, Ipomea batatas, broiler starter, maize grain, poultry feed