JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND VETERINARY MEDICINE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2536-7099
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JASVM
Start Year: 2016
Email: jasvm@integrityresjournals.org
Evaluation of diets containing varying levels of cassava root – African locust bean seed meal blend on growth response and nutrient digestibility of starter broiler chicks
https://doi.org/10.31248/JASVM2025.667 | Article Number: F3B02C888 | Vol.11 (4) - August 2026
Received Date: 18 May 2026 | Accepted Date: 17 June 2026 | Published Date: 08 August 2026
Authors: J. A. Shiddi , G. I. Sarkinkwambo , M. A. Oguntoye* , U. Hapson , T. H. Chama and A. R. Akintunde
Keywords: growth response, nutrient digestibility., Cassava, locust bean, chicks.
The prevailing high cost of conventional feed ingredients, especially energy sources such as maize, necessitated the use of cheap, readily available and nutritionally comparable alternatives, which could be found in cassava root meal. Efficacy of varying levels of cassava root meal – African locust bean seed meal (CRM-ALBSM) blend on growth response and nutrient digestibility of starter broiler chicks was evaluated. A total of two hundred and forty (240) one-day-old broiler chicks were used in four weeks feeding trial. Six experimental diets were formulated using cassava root meal and African locust bean seed blend at a ratio of 20:1 such that diet T1 (Control) contains no CRM-ALBSM while diets T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 contained varying levels of CRM-ALBSM at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, respectively. The broiler chicks were weighed and allotted to six dietary treatments of 40 birds each. The groups were replicated four times in a completely randomised design of 10 birds per replicate. The parameters determined for growth performance include: Final weight (g), Weight gain (g/bird), Daily weight gain (g/bird), Feed intake (g/bird), Daily feed intake (g/bird) and Feed conversion ratio (FCR). For the nutrient digestibility, dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and ash were determined. Final body weight did not follow a specific trend. The least (p<0.05) value of 1355.00 g was recorded for final weight in birds fed a diet containing 30% CRM- ALBSM. Birds fed a maize-based control diet revealed a higher value of 1500 g for final weight. Highest feed intake of 2301.00 g and 2311.33g were obtained for birds fed diets containing 40 and 50% CRM-ALBSM. Slightly low (p<0.05) dry matter digestibility values of 63.14% and 63.31 % were recorded for birds fed 40 and 50% CRM-ALBSM. Cost per kg feed decreased with increasing level of CRM-ALBSM. In conclusion, CRM-ALBSM up to 30% replacement level for maize improved growth response, nutrient digestibility and economics of production of starter broiler chicks.
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