ABSTRACT

In a 5week feeding trial using 100 unsexed day old Anak broilers, palm oil supplemented cassava meal was used to substitute maize at 0,25,50,75 and 100% inclusion levels and the diets were respectively designated as Diets 1,2,3,4,and 5 with 2 replicates per diet in a completely randomized Design (CRD). Body weight changes, feed intake, feed-to-gain ratio and the economics of production were investigated. Results obtained showed that the feed-to-gain ratio and total weight gain were significantly influenced (p< 0.05) while other parameters were not. Diet 2, gave the best feed-to-gain ratio followed by diet 3 (2.63) diet 1 (2.83) and diet 4 (3.61) while diet 5 gave the poorest value (4.45). Total body weight gain was highest (1364g) for birds fed diet 2 while birds fed diet 5 had the least value (597g). Total feed intake decreased as the percent palm oil supplemented cassava meal substitution increased from 0 to 10% only with the exception of bird fed diet 4. Birds fed diet I had the highest value (3125g) while birds fed diet 5 had the least value (2657g). The cost/kg diet (N) decreased as the dietary inclusion of the test ingredients increased from 0-100%. At the end of the trial, birds fed diet I had the highest cost of feed (N1250) followed by diets 2,3,4 and 5 respectively. Palm oil supplemented cassava meal is therefore recommended as a substitute for maize at 25 and 50%Ievels.