Vol. 8(3), pp.

28-32, March 2017

DOI: 10.5897/IJLP2015.0222
Article Number: EB7C05963196
ISSN 2141-2448
International Journal of Livestock
Copyright ©2017 Production
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
http://www.academicjournals.org/IJLP

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of dietary inclusion of cassava root flour in

broiler diets on growth performance, carcass
characteristic and haematological parameters
Zanu, H. K.*, Azameti, M. K. and Asare, D.
Department of Animal Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P. O. Box 40, Mampong-Ashanti, Ghana.
Received 13 September, 2015; Accepted 29 September, 2016

A 42-day study was carried out with ninety 14-day old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) to evaluate the
dietary inclusion of cassava flour in full replacement with maize on growth performance, carcass
characteristics and haematological parameters. The chickens were randomly allotted to 6 pens
involving two dietary treatments of three replicates per each treatment and 15 birds per each replicate
in a Complete Randomized Design. Variables measured included feed intake, weight gain, feed
conversion efficiency, mortality, feed cost, and haematology. Feed and water were provided ad libitum.
Results indicated that the total inclusion of cassava flour in broiler diet reduced (P>0.05) feed intake.
Also, there was a depression (P<0.05) in the growth rate and feed efficiency in the broiler chickens fed
on the cassava flour based diets during experimental period. Again, replacing maize with the cassava
flour in broiler diet reduced (P<0.05) the dressing percentage of carcass. However, haematological
parameters were not affected by dietary treatments. Nonetheless, the cost of feed was reduced with the
substitution of maize with cassava flour in broiler diet. In conclusion, the total replacement of maize
with cassava flour in broiler chickens diets has deleterious effect on growth, but reduced the cost of
feeding, thereby resulting in higher net revenue.

Key words: Cassava root flour, dietary inclusion, performance and broiler chicken.

INTRODUCTION

The majority of components in commercial poultry diets industrial uses. These shortages have led to an increase
comprise of cereal grains as energetic feedstuffs. In this in the price of maize. This has in turn, led to high cost of
regard, maize is the commonly used cereal (about 45 to production in intensive poultry production enterprises.
60% of diets) in poultry diets because of its high energy The competition for cereals in the human and livestock
content and low anti-nutritional factors (Donkoh and industry makes it important to explore the potentials of
Attoh-Kotoku, 2009). However, in the production of cereal other energy sources such as cassava root as alternative
grains, maize is not adequate for direct human for maize in poultry diets (Bhuiyan et al., 2012) Cassava
consumption, formulating livestock diets, and for other (Manihot esculenta, Crantz) is one of the most important

*Corresponding author. E-mail: holy_zanu@yahoo.com.

Author(s) agree that this article remain permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License 4.0 International License
 Zanu et al. 29

food crops in the humid tropics such as African countries. Table 1. Experimental diets and their proximate composition.
It can be produced well in soils with low fertility. It is able
to survive drought conditions (Burrell, 2003). It is the Components T1 (%) T2 (%)
most productive crop in terms of energy yield per unit Maize 58 -
land area (Ravindran and Blair, 1992). Among the Fish Meal (64% CP) 10 10
starchy staples, it gives carbohydrate yield of about 40% Fish Meal (52% CP) 7 6
higher than rice and 25% more than maize, making it the Cassava flour - 58
cheapest source of calories in animal diets (Tonukari, Soybean meal (45% CP) 10.5 10.5
2004). It has energy value of more than 3000 MJ Wheat bran 12 12
metabolizable energy per kg and contains 2.55% CP,
Oyster shell 1 1
27.75% CF, 0.12% EE and 1.70% ash on a DM basis
Vit/mineral premix 0.5 0.5
(Sriroth et al., 2000). Cassava however contains
Salt 0.5 0.5
cyanogenic glucosides of which its hydrolysis yields
hydrocyanic (HCN) and this component is toxic to poultry Di-calcium phosphate 0.5 0.5
(Udedibie et al., 2008). The cyanide can be removed to Lysine - 0.5
tolerable level by boiling, drying, grating, soaking, Methionine - 0.5
fermentation, or a combination of these processes to
produce final products containing not more than 100 ppm Proximate composition (%):
HCN (Udedibie et al., 2009). Again, as a partial energy Dry matter 92.0 88.5
source for poultry, cassava root contains very little protein Crude Protein 19.7 20.0
which is low in quality. Diets containing cassava therefore Crude Fibre 2.9 3.7
need to be supplemented with more protein or synthetic Ether Extract 1.5 1.0
amino acid to make up for the protein deficiency in it. The Ash 8.0 10.5
aim of this study was therefore to examine the response Nitrogen free extract 59.9 53.3
of broiler chickens to cassava flour-based diets
supplemented with lysine and methionine.
Calculated composition (%) :
Crude Protein 22.3 19.6
MATERIALS AND METHODS Crude Fibre 3.3 6.6
Ether Extract 4.2 2.3
The experiment was conducted at the poultry section of the Ash 3.1 2.7
Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture Education,
University of Education, Winneba – Ashanti Mampong. In this Methionine + cysteine 1.3 1.6
study, a total of 90 14-day old Cobb 500 unsexed broiler chicks lysine 0.5 0.9
procured from Darko Farms Ltd. in Kumasi, Ghana were used. Calcium 1.0 1.0
Before the trial, they were reared under the same conditions Available Phosphorus 0.7 0.6
according to the breed management guidelines. All the chicks were
fed a commercial broiler starter diet during the two weeks. They ME kcal/kg 2,984.7 2,938.03
were then randomly allotted to six floor pens including two dietary Composition of vitamin/mineral premix per kg: Vitamin E, 25mg; Vitamin
treatments with three replicates per each treatment. Each replicate A, 6250 IU; Vitamin D3, 1250 IU; Vitamin K3, 25 mg; Vitamin B1, 25
contained 15 broiler chickens. Each pen measured 3.5m by 1.5m mg; Vitamin B2, 60 mg; Vitamin B6, 40 mg; Vitamin B12, 2 mg;
allowing a floor space of 0.27 m2 per bird. The two diets contained Elemental calcium, 25 mg; Elemental phosphorus, 9mg; Elemental
respectively 0 and 58 percent cassava root flour and replaced equal magnesium, 300 mg; Iron, 400 mg; Selenium 1.0 mg, Iodine 20 mg,
quantity of maize in the control. The two diets were formulated to Copper 60mg, Magnesium 100mg, cobalt 10 mg, Zink, 150 mg; Sodium
meet the nutrient recommendations (NRC, 1994) for growing broiler Chloride, 1.5 mg; Choline Chloride, 500 mg; Live Lactobaccillus spore,
chickens. The diets and their nutrient composition are presented in 0.2 million cfu; Niacin, 40mg; Folic Acid, 10mg; d-Biotin, 5 mcg.
Table 1. The two experimental diets were analyzed for their
proximate constituents by AOAC (1990) methods as presented in
Table 1. The proximate components are also shown in Table 1.
Feed and water were supplied ad libitum and the trial lasted from
ventral lateral wing vein of two randomly selected birds from each
14 to 56 days. The pens were filled with wood shaving as litter
replicate into EDTA-containing vacutainer tubes and
material to a depth of about 4cm. The birds were kept under a 12L:
haematological values analyzed immediately. The statistical
12D lighting schedule throughout the study.
analysis of t-test was conducted on the key parameters and the
Live body weight at day 14 and 56 days of age, feed intake,
differences between treatments means were subjected to the test of
weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured. For
significance at 5% probability.
the measurement of carcass characteristics, two birds (1 male and
1 female) were randomly selected per each replicate at 56 days of
age. They were weighed and killed by mechanical stunning and
subsequent neck dislocation. The liver, crop, gizzard, heart and RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
small and large intestines were trimmed of fat and then weighed.
Haematological parameters including WBC, RBC, HB, MCH,
MCHC, HCT, and MCV were assessed at the end of the The results of proximate analysis of the experimental
experiment. Blood samples (about 2 mL) were drawn from the diets as shown in Table 1, revealed that the crude protein
30 Int. J. Livest. Prod.

Table 2. Effects of the dietary treatments on the performance of broilers.

Parameter T1 T2 SEM Level of Sig.

Initial weight (g/bird) 273.33 273.33 _ _
*
Final weight (g/bird) 2237.3 1825.1 147.19 0.049
*
Final weight gain (g/bird) 1964.0 1551.8 147.19 0.049
Daily weight gain (g/bird) 46.77 36.95 3.49 0.048*
NS
Feed intake (g/bird/day) 122.23 111.87 6.46 0.184
Feed Conversion Efficiency(FCR) 2.62 3.03 0.11 0.021*
NS
Mortality (%) 11.11 24.44 7.37 0.145
NS
= Not Significant, *= Significant.

Table 3. Effects of the experimental diets on the carcass characteristics.

Parameter (% of live weight) T1 T2 SEM Level of Sig.

Carcass weight (g) 2298.3 2198.3 2.36 0.00*
Dressed weight (g) 1891.7 1553.3 8.98 0.00*
Dressing percentage (%) 82.07 67.6 0.63 0.00*
NS
Weight of head 2.1 2.3 2.36 0.101
NS
Weight of liver 2 2.1 3.73 0.678
NS
Weight of intestine(empty) 4.1 4.2 3.77 1.624
Weight of intestine(full) 6.5 7.7 2.83 0.00*
NS
Weight of gizzard(empty) 1.7 1.7 1.2 0.795
NS
Weight of gizzard(full) 3.4 3.4 1.41 1.00
Weight of crop(empty) 0.2 0.1 0.09 0.00*
Weight of crop(full) 1.7 0.2 1.37 0.00*
Weight of shank 4.2 3.4 1.41 0.00*
NS
Weight of heart 0.5 0.39 1.67 0.374
NS= Not Significant, *= Significant.

content of the two diets were almost similar. The negative effect was increased as the inclusion level of the
supplementation of the cassava flour-based diet with cassava in the diet increased. This could have also been
lysine and methionine had increased its crude protein due to the dusty nature of the cassava flour. Results of a
level. According to Zanu and Dei (2011) broiler diet trial by Udedibie et al. (2008) indicated improved feed
based on cassava meal was improved nutritionally by the intake of layers when cassava tuber meal was processed
addition of a little more protein. Completely substituting into pellets, confirming the observation that the dusty
maize with cassava flour decreased (P<0.05) the body nature of the diet was responsible for low feed intake.
weight by 56 days of age (Table 2). Hassan et al. (2012) The lower feed intake in broiler chickens fed diets based
reported a considerable decrease in average daily weight on cassava flour in this study led to a decrease in body
gain when cassava flour was substituted with maize at weight, weight gain and decrease FCR.
50, 75 or 100% in broiler diets. In their work, the birds fed Mortality was not significantly affected by dietary
on 75 or 100% inclusion levels of cassava meal had the treatments. In this study two birds offered the test diets
lowest growth performance as compared to those on the died. But their death could not be attributed to the
other dietary treatments. They reported that using 25% of inclusion of cassava flour in the diet.
cassava meal in placing of maize had no adverse effects Carcass weight, dressed weight and dressing
on broiler performance. There were no differences in feed percentages of the broiler chickens decreased (P<0.05)
intake between the treatments. There was however, 8.5% and the weight of intestines with digesta increased
decrease (P>0.05) in feed intake of birds fed the diet (P<0.05) when cassava flour based diet was offered
containing the cassava flour. In contrast, Ukachukwu (Table 3). The lower weight of carcass, dressed weight
(2005) and Hassan et al. (2012) also reported a decline and dressing percentage were due to the poor growth
in feed intake of birds fed cassava-based diets, and this performance of these birds. The reason for the higher
 Zanu et al. 31

Table 4. Effects of the dietary treatments on haematology.

Parameter T1 T2 SEM Level of Sig.

NS
WBC (×103/μl) 237.67 235.97 3.24 0.628
NS
RBC (×106/μl) 2.59 2.35 0.188 0.260
NS
HB (g/dl) 10.07 9.8 30.86 0.383
NS
MCH (pg) 42.7 41.33 0.79 0.158
NS
MCHC (g/dl) 32.43 32.18 0.37 0.536
NS
HCT (%) 31.03 30.07 1.48 0.550
NS
MCV (fL) 131.53 128.42 1.75 0.149
NS
= Not Significant.

Table 5. Cost and benefits of feeding the two diets.

Parameter T1 T2
Feed cost / kg diet (GHC) 1.31 0.69
Feed intake /bird/day (g) 122.2 111.9
Number of days on feed 42 42
Number of birds 40 40
Total cost of feed/bird/period (GHC) 7.00 3.65
Price per kg weight of bird (GHC) 6.00 6.00
Average live weight of bird (kg) 2.24 1.83
Value of bird (GHC) 13.44 10.98
Net revenue (GHC) 6.44 7.33

weight recorded for intestine with digesta may be partly (GHȼ 0.85) respectively. The above findings confirm
due to delay in the digestion of cassava flour in the report by Vantsawa et al. (2007) that the use of cheaper
gastro-intestinal tract of the birds (Bhuiyan and Iji, 2015). feed resources as a feedstuff in poultry nutrition boost
The weight of crop with or without digesta reduced in profit margin of farmers.
birds fed on diets containing cassava flour. However, this
observation was in contrast with results reported by
Vantsawa (2007), in which the weight of crop of the Conclusion
chicks fed on diets supplemented with low-grade cassava Replacing maize with cassava root flour at 100% of
meal was increased. The health of the birds as assessed inclusion rate in broiler chicken’s decreased the weight
by haematological analysis of birds was not affected by gain and FCR, as well as carcass weight and dressing
dietary inclusion of cassava flour (Table 4). All the percentage. But haematological indices were not affected
assessed haematological parameters including WBC, by dietary inclusion of cassava flour. It seems that lower
RBC, HB, MCH, MCHC, HCT, and MCV were within the inclusion rate might be preferred in broiler chicken diets.
reference range of healthy birds (Campbell et al., 2003). Clearly, more research is needed to understand the
Unigwe (2011) and Hassan et al. (2012) reported no mechanisms of decreasing performance of birds by
detrimental effect on blood haematology parameters dietary inclusion of cassava flour in their diets. However,
when cassava meal was fed to broiler chickens. the net revenue of feeding the broiler chickens with the
Comparison of economics of feeding broiler chickens with diet containing cassava flour increased.
substituting maize with cassava flour indicated a 48%
reduction in the total cost of feed per bird when cassava
flour was included in the diets instead of maize. This Conflict of Interests
implies that it was more cost-effective to use cassava
flour in substitute for maize in broiler diets. Even though The authors have not declared any conflict of interests.
the growth of the birds on the cassava-based diet was
significantly affected, the net revenue realized for using
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