Enhancing Broiler Chicken Growth and Carcass With Cassava Leaf Meal (Manihot esculenta)

Abstract

Abstract Poultry meat production, particularly broiler chicken, plays a vital role in the Asian region. However, increasing feed costs pose significant challenges to the broiler chicken industry. The search for locally available and affordable feed ingredients becomes crucial to address this issue. Cassava, a versatile and abundant crop in the region, holds great promise as a potential alternative. Cassava leaves, in particular, possess high nutritional value, including protein, minerals, and vitamins. However, they also contain hydrocyanic acid (HCN), which can be toxic. Sun drying is an effective method for reducing the cyanide content in cassava leaves. Previous studies have shown that supplementing cassava leaf meal (CLM) in broiler diets improves growth performance without adverse effects. This study investigated the impact of different levels of CLM as a supplemental feed on broiler growth parameters, carcass yield, and meat cut-up yield. It found out that including 3% and 5% CLM positively influences growth parameters, feed efficiency, carcass yield, and meat cut-up yield. These findings highlight the potential of CLM as a sustainable and locally available feed resource for broiler production in the Asian region. Further research is needed to determine the optimal level of CLM inclusion and evaluate its economic feasibility and environmental impact.