The Value of Cassava Root Meal for Chicks ,

Abstract

CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta Crantz = M. utilissima Pohl) is one of the most productive root crops in tropical areas in terms of dry matter yield per acre. Seemanthani (1962) reported yields of over 15.9 and 28.4 tons per hectare for two improved varieties. An experimental plot of cassava at the University of Hawaii yielded at the rate of almost 50 tons per hectare. The ease of propagation from cuttings and the economy of production make cassava a cheap and valuable source of carbohydrate. Literature on the use of cassava products in chick rations is meagre and appears to be limited to a few preliminary studies. Taboyoyong (1935) noted poorer chick growth when half or all of the rice bran in the ration was replaced by cassava refuse meal. Squibb and Wyld (1951), using a by-product residue of cassava roots (yuca) obtained satisfactory chick growth in 4 out of 7 experiments… .