Growth performance, carcass response and cost benefit analysis of cockerel fed graded levels of cassava (Manihot esculenta) grit supplemented with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaf meal

Abstract

A sixteen week trial was conducted to assess the effect of replacing cassava grit supplemented with Moringa leaf meal (MLM) for maize on the performance of 120 “day old” Harco cockerel chickens. Four experimental cockerel starter and finisher diets were formulated with diet 1 formulated to contain 0 % cassava grit while diet 2, 3 and 4 were formulated to contain cassava grit at 33.3, 66.6 and 100 % replacement for maize with 5 % of Moringa leaf meal inclusion in diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Chicks were randomly assigned to the four treatment diets in a completely randomized designed (CRD). Growth performance at finisher phase revealed that average live weight was significantly (p<0.05) highest 2.17 kg/bird in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. Weekly weight gain was also significantly (p<0.05) highest 0.86kg/bird among birds placed on 66.6 % CGM. Feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were also significantly (p<0.05) affected by the treatment diets. The cost benefit analysis at finisher phase cost of fed consume ( ₦171.83/bird) was also highest in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. Cost of feed per kilogram weight gain has comparable values of ( ₦93.67 and  ₦93.21/bird) among birds fed diet 2 and 3. Total cost of production was least ( ₦640.74/bird) in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. Net profit ( ₦859.26) was highest in birds fed 66.6 % CGM. From this study, it is concluded that cassava grit can replace maize up to 66.6 % inclusion level with 5 % moringa leaf meal supplement in cockerel diet for optimum performance as well as good economic returns

Keywords: Cockerel, Cassava grit, Moringa leaf meal, Biological performance, Cost-benefit