Partial replacement of maize with cassava root–moringa leaf and vegetable oil concentrates in broiler finisher diets

Abstract

Context Roots and leaves have potential as feed ingredients for poultry, but antinutritional factors (ANFs), high fibre and low energy may limit their efficient utilisation. There is need to improve processing methods and diet formulation for maximum utilisation of these readily available resources and reduce feed cost. Aim To investigate the replacement of maize with cassava root, moringa leaf meal and vegetable oil blend in finisher broiler diets. Methods In total, 160 male broiler chickens aged 30 days were weighed and allotted randomly to 20 deep litter pens containing eight birds of similar individual weight (1500 g ± 16.11). Four broiler finisher iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous diets were formulated for the experiment. Diet 1 was based on maize and in Diets 2, 3 and 4, 15%, 30% and 45% of maize was replaced respectively, by a concentrate of cassava root meal, moringa leaf meal and vegetable oil combination (CMOC). Each diet was given to five pens in a completely randomised design for a period of 12 days. Key results There were no significant differences in the growth parameters of birds among treatments. Except for drumsticks of birds on the 30% CMOC diet, there were no significant effects of diet on carcass components or digestive organ weights (P > 0.05). Gizzard pH was higher in the control birds than in the test groups. Feed cost per kilogram of carcass weight was significantly (P < 0.05) lower with the dietary inclusion of CMOC. Conclusion Replacing up to 30% of the maize with CMOC is beneficial and replacement up to 45% is not detrimental. However, the economic benefits of maize replacement with CMOC need to be re-evaluated with ingredient costings less affected by the present COVID-19 pandemic. Implications Maximum utilisation of cassava root and moringa leaf meal in the diet will reduce cost and improve income of small- to medium-holder broiler producers.