Effects of Inclusion Rate of Cassava (Manihot Esculenta Crantz) Leaf and Root Mixture on Feed Intake and Growth Rate of Grower Chicks

Abstract

The experiment studied the effect of inclusion rate of cassava leaf and root mixture (CLRM) on the performance of grower male white leghorn chicks at Wolaita Sodo ATVET College. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of inclusion rate of CLRM on performance of grower chicks and to determine the best level of the CLRM. The collected cassava leaves and roots were separately chopped, dried, ground and then mixed in the ratio of 50:50 to get CLRM. Four diets were formulated, T1 contained no CLRM and served as the control, diets T2, T3 and T4 had CLRM at levels of 7.5, 11.25 and 15%, respectively. The grower chicks kept in a deep litter system and the feeding trial lasted for twelve weeks. A total of 180, eight weeks old grower chicks with average initial body weight of 495.68±26.74g (mean±SD) were randomly assigned to 4 experimental groups. Each group was replicated thrice with 15 chicks per replicate. A completely randomized design (CRD) experiment was used. The birds were given known amount of feed and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. Data were collected on daily dry matter intake (DDMI), total DMI (TDMI), daily body weight gain (DBWG), final BWG (FBWG), DM conversion ratio (DMCR) (g/g), cost-benefit analysis. Data were subjected to analysis of variance for all parameters considered. The chemical analysis showed that, the crude protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) contents of CLRM were 14.5% and 3061.63 kcal/kg DM, respectively. The result of the experiment showed significant difference (P<0.05) among treatments in DDMI, TDMI, and CPI. T3 (66.9gm) had higher DDMI than T1 (65.14gm), T2 (65.18gm) and T4 (65.14gm). Similarly, T3 had higher TDMI, than the other dietary experimental feeds. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in DBWG, FBWG between treatments. The control diet has lower (5.05±0.29 (±SEM)) DMCR compared to T4 ration (4.70±0.15 (±SEM)). Economic analysis showed that feed cost per bird was lower in the CLRM based diets than the control group. Similarly, the highest net return and marginal rate of return was noted for T3. The results showed that ration formulation using CLRM, like as in T3 of the present study resulted in better biological and economic performance in grower rations. It was concluded that feeding grower chicks with CLRM at 15% of the ration can be used without any adverse effect on the growth and carcass weight of the birds, while 11.25% CLRM in the ration gave the highest economic return and can be considered as best level for growers.

Keywords: Cassava leaf and root mixture, dry matter intake, daily body weight gain