Cassava root scrapings for 22 to 42-day-old broilers in high-temperature environments

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of whole cassava root scrapings at different levels in diets for broilers in the period of 22 to 42 days of age in high-temperature environments on performance, as well as to evaluate the metabolizability of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP) and gross energy (GE) and nitrogen balance. A total of 400 male Ross broilers were used for evaluation of performance and 80 birds of the same strain were used in the metabolism experiment.The design was of randomized block with five treatments and four replications. The experimental unit was represented by twenty birds on the performance evaluation and four birds were housed in metabolic cages for the metabolism evaluation. The treatments consisted of diets containing inclusion levels of cassava root scrapings (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg), formulated to meet the nutritional requirements accordingly to each phase of the birds. Whole cassava root scrapings can be included in diets for 22 to 42 day-old broiler chickens, at a level between 118.75 and 200 k/kg, in environments of high temperatures, with positive interference on weight gain and feed conversion, without affecting the coefficient of metabolizability of dry matter, crude protein, gross energy and nitrogen balance, or carcass characteristics, such as yields of main cuts and metabolically active organs of the birds.