Abstract:
The effects of feeding graded levels of cassava peel meal (CPM) on the performance of broilers, chicks, growers and layers were investigated. The first study on broilers was to determine the optimum level of CPM that could be incorporated in diets fortified with palm-oil to balance for energy. The second was a factorial design to determine the optimum dietary levels of CPM and methionine required for broilers. Results of the broiler studies showed that 25% CPM in broiler starter diets did not reduce performance of the birds and 20% CPM in the finisher stage was adequate for good economic returns. Methionine supplementation did not have any significant effect on the performance of the birds at the starter and finisher stages. The first study on egg type chickens was to investigate the optimum level of CPM in chicks and grower diets. The results indicated that chicks could be fed 20% CPM diets while growers could be fed 25% CPM without adverse effect on their performance. The second study investigated the effect of feeding graded levels of CPM in grower diets on the subsequent laying house performance of the pullets. Results showed that dietary levels of CPM fed during rearing did not have any significant effect on the subsequent laying performance of the birds. The third study investigated the chronic effect of graded levels of CPM on the laying performance of pullets reared on CPM. The results showed that feeding 5, 10, or 15% CPM diets for 60 weeks did not have any significant effect on laying performance. x iv The final study investigated the effect of graded levels of CPM in diets of hens reared on CPM free diet. The results showed that up to 20% CPM in layer’s diet did not have any significant effect on laying performance and this level replaces about 50% of the maize content in the control diet. In conclusion, these results show that cyanide did not limit the use of CPM, rather the energy content of CPM in comparison to maize which it replaces limits its usage.
UTILIZATION OF CASSAVA PEELS AS ENERGY SOURCE FOR CHICKENS
