The Nutritional Effect of Cassava Leaf Meal on Broiler Starter Chickens
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- July 1, 2024
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| JAFE Vol. 10(4): 27-38, 2023 | |
| The Nutritional Effect of Cassava Leaf Meal on Broiler Starter Chickens | |
| Esiegwu, A.C. and Nwaba, A. | |
| The nutritional effect of cassava leaf meal on broiler starter chickens was investigated. The cassava leaf meal (CLM) was used to formulate five broiler starter 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%), T2 (2.5%). T3 (5.0%), T4 (7.5%) and T5 (10%) respectively. Seventy five (75) three-day-old broiler starter 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 starter diet and fed for 28 days. Data were collected on body weight changes, feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Economic parameters determined were cost/kg weight gain, cost of total feed consumed and gross margin. The results indicated that performance of chicks in T4 and T5 (7.5% and 10%) inclusion levels of cassava leaf meal decreased significantly (P<0.05) compared to the control (T1) for average final weight, average weight changes and average daily weight gain. Feed intake at 10% CLM (T5) was significantly decreased compared to T1 (the control) and T3 (5% CLM). The feed conversion ratio revealed that T1, T2, T3 and T5 representing 0%, 2.5%, 5% and 10% CLM inclusion levels were statistically similar (P>0.05). T1 (0%), followed by T2 (2.5%), then T3 (5%) revealed higher revenue earnings and a better gross margin as a result of heavier average weight changes and better feed conversion ratio. The haematological indices showed that the haemoglobin, packed cell volume and red blood cell increased as the dietary levels of cassava leaf meal increased with T5 increasing significantly (P<0.05) compared to the control. The white blood cell increased significantly (P<0.05) at T5 compared to the rest of the treatments. Biochemical indices showed that total protein increased progressively as the dietary inclusion level increased. Cholesterol, serum alkaline phosphatase, and Serum alanine transaminase were significantly increased (P<0.05) at T5 compared to the control. It was therefore concluded that cassava leaf meal could serve as a protein source to replace soya bean meal in the diet of broiler finishers at a level not exceeding 2.5% to reduce cost of production and earn higher revenue. | |
| Keywords: | Nutritional effect, cassava leaf, broiler starter, cost and returns, haematology, serum indices |
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