EFFECT OF SUN-DRIED CASSAVA PEEL MEAL (SCPM) ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF FINISHER BROILERS

A research was conducted to find out the "Effect of Sun-dried Cassava Peel Meal (SCPM) on Performance, Haematology and Economics of Production of Finisher Broilers. One hundred and five (105) unsexed Marshall breed of broiler chicks were procured from a reputable Agro-Dealer in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. The chicks were randomly distributed to five treatment groups at an inclusion rate of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% by weight for weight replacement of maize, representing T1 (Control), T2, T3, T4 and T5, in a completely randomized design (CRD). All the chicks were brooded for a four weeks period. After that, the broiler chicks were assigned to five treatment groups of 21 birds per treatment, with 7 birds per replicate. They were served clean water and fed ad libitum. Routine vaccination and rearing management practices were put in place and the research lasted for 28 days (4 weeks). Results indicate that the experimental diets depressed or reduced all the growth parameters except for the feed conversion ratio (FCR). Results on haematological indices did not show any adverse effects. SCPM exceeded 10% both on economics of production indicate that profit was maximized (P < 0.05) in the entire study. It is concluded that sun-dried cassava peel meal can replace maize in the diets of finisher broilers production as much as 10% inclusion level and above without eliciting any adverse effect on the performance parameters, haematological indices and economics of product cost of finisher broilers.