Productive performance and hematological indices of broiler chicks fed biodegraded cassava root

To evaluate the performance and hematological indices of broiler chickens fed biodegraded cassava root meal an experiment was conducted in the Poultry Unit of the Livestock Teaching and Research Farm, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Benue State. A total of one hundred and fifty five week-old (Ross 308) finishing broilers was used for the experiment. The birds were assigned randomly into three treatments and each treatment was replicated five times with ten birds per replicate. Cassava root was peeled and chopped into small pieces of about 90-100g and mixed with rumen filtrate (fluid). This was then biodegraded for 24 hours and 48 hours. The biodegraded cassava root meal (BCRM) was used to formulate broiler’s diets at a 10% inclusion level to supplement for maize. The diets formulated were T1, T2 and T3 at 0%, 10% (24 hours biodegraded) and 10% (48 hours biodegraded) inclusion, respectively. The birds in each replicate were housed in separate cages in a completely randomized design (CRD). All routine management practices, including recommended vaccinations were strictly observed, feed and water were served ad libitum throughout the period of the study which lasted for 28 days. Performance indices such as body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were measured. Hematological parameters were also taken; pack cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HB), white blood cell (WBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and white blood cell (WBC) differential. Results revealed that there was no significant (P>0.05) differences in all the performance indices measured except in feed intake. Feed intake increased with prolonged period of biodegradation across treatments. There was significant (P<0.05) differences in the lymphocytes, heterophils and eosinophils across treatments. The study concluded that the dietary supplementation of 10% biodegradable cassava root meal at 24 and 48 hours did not adversely affect the performance/ health status of broiler chicken, however, for profit maximization, 48 hour biodegradation of cassava is recommended.