Performance, serum biochemical indices and crude protein utilisation by broiler chickens fed diets based on two varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) grits I. Starter Phase

Effect of dietary inclusion of cassava grits (Manihot esculenta Crantz) from two cassava varieties TME 419 and TMS 01/1371 as replacement for maize on performance, serum biochemical indices and crude protein utilization of broiler chicks was investigated in a three-week trial with Abor Acre plus broiler chicks (n=210). In a completely randomized design, birds were allotted to seven treatments, each replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate. Diet 1 comprised 50 % maize and 0 % cassava grits, diets 2, 3 and 4 had their respective maize content replaced at 25, 50 and 75 % with cassava grits  from TMS 01/1371 while diets 5, 6 and 7 was replaced correspondingly with cassava grits from TME 419 at 25, 50 and 75 %, respectively for a duration of 21-day. Increased dietary cassava grits significantly lowered (P<0.05) weight gain and metabolizable crude protein of broiler chicks. Birds on diets 3, 4, 6 and 7 had similar weight gain, feed conversion ratio and metabolizable crude protein. Except for significantly increased (P<0.05) total  protein and alkaline phosphatase due to interactions of cassava varieties and inclusion levels, effects of cassava varieties and inclusion levels on other serum indices were similar (P>0.05). Regression of metabolizable crude protein on graded cassava grit inclusion for both varieties were negative and significant (P<0.05) for TME 419 (R2=0.355) and highly significant (P<0.01) for TMS 01/1371 (R2=0.6639). Both graphs clearly depicted decreased metabolizable crude protein due to increased cassava grits in the diets. Increased dietary cassava grits of both varieties resulted in lowered metabolizable crude protein and serum indices with concomitant increased feed conversion ratio of broiler starter chicks. Keywords: Performance, serum biochemical indices, cassava grits, metabolizable crude protein, starter phas

Performance, serum biochemical indices and crude protein utilization by broiler chickens fed diets based on two varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) grits II. Finisher Phase

Effects of feeding diets based on grits from two varieties of cassava on performance, selected serum biochemical indices and crude protein  utilization by broiler finisher chickens was studied. In a completely randomized design, Abor Acre broiler chickens (n=210) aged 21 days were allotted to seven dietary treatments; each replicated thrice comprising 10 birds per replicate. Seven isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were  formulated; diet 1 contained 50 % maize and 0% cassava grits while diets 2, 3 and 4 had 25, 50 and 75% of maize replaced, respectively with cassava grits from TMS 01/1371, diets 5, 6 and 7 had their maize replaced with cassava grits from TME 419 at 25, 50 and 75%, respectively. Chickens were fed on respective experimental diets and offered water ad libitum for three weeks. Feed intake, weight gain, feed and conversion ratio (FCR) differed significantly (P<0.05) while metabolizable crude protein (MCP) values were similar (P>0.05). Higher daily weight gain (DWG) was obtained in birds on diet 7 (69.56 g), 1 (62.71) and 4 (60.25) compared with those on diets 6 (58.10), 3 (54.76), 2 (52.02) and 5 (50.07). Serum albumin (g/dL) were lowerbut similar in birds on diets 2 (2.35), 3 (2.03), 4(1.97) 5 (1.98). Globulin values varied significantly (P<0.05) across treatments. There was however, no significant effect of treatments (P<0.05) on total protein, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine. Interactions of grit varieties and increased dietary inclusion levels of TMS 01/1371 reduced metabolizable crude protein of finishers' broiler significantly (P<0.05). This relationship was not significant for TME 419 (P>0.05). Dietary cassava grits from both varieties of cassava had no deleterious effect on overall broiler chickens performance. However, there was gross reduction in metabolizable crude protein with increasing dietary inclusion of cassava grits. Keywords: Broiler performance, Serum biochemical indices, Cassava grits, â-carotene cassava, Metabolizable crude protei