Performance of broiler starter chicks fed graded levels of cassava chips meal as replacement for whole maize

Abstract

This study focuses on the performance of broiler starter chicks fed graded levels of cassava chips meal as replacement for whole maize. The need to explore the potentials of unconventional agricultural products as feedstuff for monogastric livestock is the motivation behind this study. A 28-day feeding trial was conducted using 180 unsexed day old marshal strain of broiler chicks fed 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5 and 50% levels of Cassava Chips Meal (CCM) in a completely randomized design where CCM replaced whole maize weight for weight. Each of the five dietary treatments was further replicated three times. Routine management practices, vaccination and medication typical of broilers were strictly adhered to. The initial weight, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed cost/kilogram, feed cost/kilogram weight gain and mortality were measured. Results show that birds on control (0% CCM) and T2 (12.5% CCM) with weight gains 643 g and 625 g; average daily feed intake, 46.7 and 46.9 g average daily weight gain 23.0 and 21.3 g; feed conversion ratio, 2.03 and 2.20, respectively did not differ significantly (p>0.05) but were superior to those of levels 25, 35.5 and 50%. With the exception of the average daily feed intake and feed cost/kg gain, performance declined as the inclusion level of CCM increased. Mortality did not follow any particular trend showing that CCM did not impact negatively on the health of chicks.

Key words: Health of chicks, diet of broiler chicks, whole maize cassava chips meal (CCM)