ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to determine the performance ofbroiler chicks fed graded levels of yam peel and plantain peel meal as a substitute for maize. One hundred and twenty broiler chickens ofBnort breed were used. They were allocated to four dietary treatments each treatment was icplicated thrice and each replicate had 10 birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet 1 was maize- based diet while diets 2,3 and 4 contained mixture of yam peel meal and plantain peel meal (4.1) at 5%, 10% and 15% levels ofinclusion in place ofmaize respectively. Feed and water were given ad libitum.'Yhis experiment lasted for forty nine (49) days. The proximate and gross energy ofthe test feed stuff (yam and plantain peel meal) were as follows, crude protein (9.79%), ether extract (2.93%), crude fibre (11.89%) ash (13.51%) dry matter (90.27%) and gross energy (3.142kcal/kg). The test feedstuff contained the following antnutritional factors; oxalate (1.48%), Saponnin (0.99%), Phytate (1.08%) and Tannin (0.79%).For growth performance, there were no significant differences (p>0.05) for all the parameters except for feed intake/bird/day. For feed conversation ratio, the least value occurred in D2 (3.67) while the highest value occurred in D4 (4.22). The cut parts showed no significant difference (p>0.05) for all the parameters measured except for drumstick. The drumstick value was significantly higher in D4 than others. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) for percentage dressed weight values. For organs, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference for all the treatment means. For economics of diet, there was no significant (p>0.05) difference for all parameters measured except for cost /kg offeed and total feed consumed. For cost/ kg offeed, the test diet were significantly lower than that of control diet Dl( N85.9) D2 (N82.83), D3 @4 80.01) D4 (N77.16). The cost of feed consumed ranges from N446.00 - N477.03 for diets 2 and diet 1 respectively. Although, the gross margin was not significant, but it numerically supported Diet2. Conclusively, considering the feed conversion ratio, appreciable value for cut parts, similar value for organ weights, least cost/kg weight gain and highest value of gross margin DI N 551.94, D2 N 583.56, D3 £4558.60 and D4 N 549.29), Diet 2 (5% dietary level of inclusion of yam peel/plantain peel meal) is recommended.