Performance and Hematological Parameters of Broilers Fed Graded Levels of a Mixture of Sun-Dried Cassava Tuber Meal, Brewers’ Dried Grain and Palm Oil as a Substitute for Maize

Abstract

A 9-week study was conducted to evaluate the performance and hematological parameters of broilers fed graded levels of a mixture of sun-dried cassava tuber meal, brewers dried grains and palm oil (CBP-mix) as substitute for maize. The sun-dried cassava tuber meal, brewers’ dried grains, and palm oil were mixed in a ratio of 60%, 35% and 5% respectively. 120 day old unsexed broilers (Anak strain) were randomly allotted into four dietary groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4) consisting of 30 broiler birds per treatment group in a complete randomized block design with 3 replicates for each treatment. T1 contained 0% CBP-mix +45% maize, T2 15% CBP-mix +30% maize, T3 30% CBP-mix +15% maize and T4 45% CBP-mix +0% maize. A significant decrease in feed intake was observed as the level of CBP-mix in broiler finisher diets increased (P<0.05). Broilers fed 45% CBP-mix diet recorded significantly (P<0.05) lower body weight, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg gain when compared to broilers on other experimental diets. However, feed conversion ratio and feed intake of birds fed 0, 15 and 30% CBP-mix diets were similar (P>0.05) at the starter phase. Body weight and feed conversion ratio of birds fed 0, 15 and 30% CBP-mix diets were comparable (P>0.05) at the finisher phase. The result on feed cost analysis showed that total feed cost and feed cost per weight gain decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the CBP-mix substitution levels for maize increased. The results obtained from the experiment showed that CBP-mix can be included up to 30% to substitute up to 66.6% of maize in both broiler starter and finisher diets without incurring any adverse effect on performance and hematological parameters of the birds. Furthermore, 30% CBP-mix diet gave a good feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kg and the best feed cost/ kg gain.