Replacement Value of Cassava Root - Sandbox Seed Meal Mixture For Maize on Growth Performance, Blood Indices and Economics of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study determined the replacement value of cassava root – sandbox seed meal (CRSBSM) mixture for maize on growth performance, blood indices and economics of broilers. A total of 300 chicks with average body weight (101.08±0.02 g/bird) were randomly allotted in a completely randomized design into five treatments with three replicates of 30 birds each. Five diets were formulated where maize replaced CRSBSM at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % representing T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. Proximate composition and energy contents of sandbox seed and cassava root meal were determined, respectively. Results showed that sandbox seed meal is high in oil (15.49 %) and metabolizable energy (3440.95 Kcal/Kg), moderate in crude fibre (8.32 %) and crude protein (29.43 %), while cassava root meal has low crude protein (2.18 %), moderate crude fibre (6.14 %) and low metabolizable energy (2901.29 Kcal/Kg). Growth indices showed no significant (p>0.05) differences and protein efficiency showed significantly (p<0.05) deteriorating values. The total feed cost and total production cost significantly (p<0.05) decreased across treatments. The cost-gain ratio was significantly (p<0.05) better for birds in T2, T3 and T4. The blood chemistry was enhanced with increasing replacement levels. In conclusion, maize in broiler chicken diets could be replaced with CRSBSM up to 75% without deleterious effects on performance of broiler chickens.