GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND WATER CONSUMPTIONS LEVELS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED GRADED LEVELS OF YAM PEEL METALS

Abstract

A total of One hundred and eighty (180). Anak 2000 broiler chicks were used in a four week feeding trial to evaluate the effect of percentage replacement and utilization of yam peel meal (YPM) as energy substitute for Maize Meal (MM) in the diet of broiler chicks. The broiler chicks were fed graded levels of 0, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% YPM. Complete randomized design was used in which there were five treatments and each treatment was replicated three times. Feed and clean fresh water supplies were ad libitum. Routine medications, vaccinations and other standard management practices were strictly observed. Results showed that birds fed 10% YPM were significantly (P<0.05) bigger and heavier than other birds on other treatments. Similar trend was also observed in weight gain in which birds fed 10% YPM made significantly (P<0.05) superior gain to birds on the rest diets. Cost of feed/kg gain significantly (P<0.05) reduced with increasing levels of YPM. It was concluded that YPM can be included up to 10 % level of inclusion in the diets of broiler chicks without any adverse effect on their performance.