The Effects of Partial Replacement of Maize with Plantain Peels in Broiler Diets

A 28-day feeding trial involving one hundred and twenty (120) 1-week-old Anak starter broilers was carried out in a completely randomized design to evaluate the effect of partial replacement of maize with unripe plantain peel meals at 0, 4, 8 and 12% dietary levels on the performance of broilers. Data were collected on feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality. Feed intakes of the birds on 0, 8, and 12% unripe plantain peel meals were similar (p>0.05) and lower than the feed intake of the birds on 4% unripe plantain peel meals. The growth rate of 0, 4 and 8% dietary groups were superior to that of the group on 12% unripe plantain peel meals inclusion. The feed conversion ratio of 0 and 4% dietary groups were similar and better than the groups on 8 and 12% dried plantain peel meals inclusion. The results suggest that up to 8% unripe plantain peel meals can replace maize without any deleterious effect on starter broilers. Keywords: Broilers, poultry, feed, plantain peel, maiz

Effect of Feeding Sun Dried Cocoyam (Xanthosoma Sagittifolium) Corm Meal on the Performance of Starter Broilers

The effects of different levels of cocoyam corm meal on performance of starter broilers were determined in a 28-day feeding trial. Five diets containing cocoyam corm meal at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels and labeled T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively were formulated and fed to one hundred and fifty (150) starter broilers (Hybro strain) in a completely randomized design experiment in which each treatment group was replicated thrice. Each replicate contained 10 birds. Birds fed T3, T4 and T5 diets had significantly (p<0.05) lower daily weight gain than the control group T1 and T2 group birds that were similar (p>0.05). Feed intake values of the birds on 5, 10 and 15% cocoyam corm meal were significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of T1 and T5 birds. Feed conversion ratio of birds on T1 and T2 were significantly lower and better than that of T3, T4 and T5 dietary group. Analysis of the results revealed that starter broilers could tolerate up to 20% level of inclusion of cocoyam corm meal without serious deleterious effects on their performance. The significance of this research finding is that sun drying alone can achieve the incorporation of cocoyam corm meal to the tone of 20% in broiler starter ration. Keywords: Broiler chicks, nutrition, cocoyam corm meal, maiz