EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN FED ON CASSAVA FLOUR AS A DIRECT SUBSTITUTE OF MAIZE

摘要

Maize (Zea mays) plays a key role in the poultry industry in Zimbabwe. Because maize is increasingly becoming expensive, it is imperative that alternative ingredients are sought in order to bolster this industry. One hundred and eighty ( 180) Cobb-500day-old chicks were used to assess the opportunity of reducing the cost of maize-based diets for broiler production. Effects of incorporating cassava (Manihot esciilenta) Hour into diets at proportions of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% on the performance and carcass composition were investigated under natural conditions in Zimbabwe. Live-weight, feed intake and mortality were recorded and feed conversion efficiency calculated. At 6-week age, carcass samples were analysed for dry matter, ash. crude protein, crude fibre and ether extractable fat. Increased proportion of cassava flour in the diet resulted in a decrease in weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and dressed weight. Crude fibre content of chicken mince increased as maize content decreased in the diets. It is viable to substitute maize for cassava though profit margins fall. Cassava's nutritive value limits its inclusion level and maize will continue to be the major proportion of broiler diets.