Published in Scientific Papers. Series "Management, Economic Engineering in Agriculture and rural development", Vol. 17 ISSUE 1
Written by Gbolagunte S. OJEWOLA, Uzodinma L. OKEKE, Adeyemi O. OLOJEDE

Two hundred and forty three day-old early strain (Abor acre) broiler chicks were randomly assigned to nine treatment diets, replicated thrice in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) to evaluate the substitutional effects of enzymes supplemented and non-supplemented dietary cassava flour for maize in broiler nutrition. The experiment lasted 49days (7weeks). Growth performance, feed and economic efficiency, carcass and organ proportions, serum chemistry and hematological parameters were significantly (P<0.05) influenced. Birds fed diet 1 gave a superior (P<0.05) performance over and above all the other diets in terms of the mean final weight (1885.18g), body weight gain (1,834.19g), revenue (N1,100.20) and gross margin (N125.33) realizable, hematology and serum chemistry values. This was closely followed by birds fed diets 2, 3, 4 and 5. The results further showed that substitution of maize with enzymes supplemented and non-supplemented cassava flour beyond 50% in the broiler diets reduced revenue (N) realizable and gross margin (N), an indication that the diets did not optimize economic returns nor enhance biological values. In conclusion, diets 1 on one hand and 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the other are hereby recommended for optimal performance and economic returns.

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