RESPONSE OF BROILER FINISHER CHICKENS TO DIETARY INTAKE OF CASSAVA LEAF MEAL

Abstract

The response of dietary intake of cassava leaves meal on broiler finisher chickens was investigated. The cassava leaf meal (CLM) was used to formulate five broiler finisher diets at 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10% inclusion levels partly replacing soya bean meal in the diet. The diets were represented as T₁ (0%), and T₂ (2.5%). T₃ (5.0%), T₄ (7.5%), and T₅ (10%) respectively. Seventy-five (75) broiler finisher chickens were divided into five treatment groups of fifteen (15) birds each in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment group was further divided into three replicates of five birds per replicate and each of the groups was assigned to one of the treatment broiler finisher diets and fed for 28 days. Data were collected on body weight changes, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio. At the end of the feeding trial, three birds were randomly selected from each treatment (one per replicate) and used for evaluation of the carcass and internal organ weight. Three birds per treatment were also separated and put in an individual metabolic cage for total tract faecal collection. Economic parameters determined were cost/kg weight gain, cost of total feed consumed, and gross margin. Statistical analysis data on the performance result showed that T₁ (0%) and T₂ (2.5%) inclusion levels were significantly better P<0.05 than T₃ (5.0%), T₄ (7.5%) and T5 (10.0%) for average weight changes and average daily weight gain. Performance of broilers declined as the inclusion levels of cassava leaf meal increased from 5% to 10%. Feed intake was similar across treatments. Feed conversion ratio revealed that T₁ (0%), T₂ (2.5%), and T₃ (5.0%) were similar in performance but the efficiency of feed utilization clearly demonstrated that 0% and 2.5% inclusion levels gave the optimum performance inclusion levels. Data on the cost and returns of broiler finisher birds offered dietary cassava leaf meal showed that feed cost per kg weight gain was lowest at 2.5% inclusion level of cassava leaves meal T₂ (2.5%). Gross margin (profit) was best or highest at T₂ (2.5%) followed by the control T₁ (0%). 5%, 7.5%, and 10% inclusion levels representing T₃, T_4, and T₅ indicated negative profit margin which means that cost of production was higher than the revenue. There was no treatment effect (P>0.05) on the live weight, dressed weight, hearts, and the length of intestines of the chickens. The weights of the thigh, the wings, the breast, the drumstick, the shank, the back, the liver, and the gizzard were statistically similar (P>0.05) to the control. This implies that there was no negative effect of the cassava leaves meal on the carcass cuts and organ weights of the chickens. Percentage crude protein digestibility was significantly decreased (P<0.05) at T₃ (5.0%), T₄ (7.5%), and T₅ (10%) cassava leaves meal inclusion compared to T₁ (0%) and T₂ (2.5%). The percentage of carbohydrate digestibility was significantly increased (P<0.05) at T₄ (7.5%) and T₅ (10%) Cassava leaves meal inclusion compared to T₁ (0%), T₂ (2.5%) and T₃ (5.0%). It was therefore concluded that cassava leaves meal could serve as a protein source partly replacing soya bean meal in broiler finisher ration at not more than 2.5% inclusion level.