Cassava Root Meal in Grower and Layer Diets

Abstract

The nutritive value of cassava root meal in grower and layer diets was evaluated. In one experiment, 0, 10, 25 and 50% of cassava root meal were substituted in isonitrogenous grower diets and fed to S.C.W.L. pullet chicks from 6 to 20 weeks of age. All groups received the same standard layer diet from 20 to 48 weeks of age. There was no significant difference in egg production, feed conversion, egg weight, Haugh units, shell thickness, body weight gain or mortality that could be ascribed to level of cassava root meal fed during the growing period. In the second experiment the same levels of cassava root meal were fed to S.C.W.L. pullets from 20 to 48 weeks of age. There were no significant differences in any of the parameters measured that could ascribe to treatment. The addition of up to 50% of cassava root meal to the layer diet did not have any adverse effects on the pullets during the 28-week experimental period.