Effect of feeding cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal on growth performance, hydrocyanide intake and haematological parameters of broiler chicks

Abstract

The effect of feeding cassava root meal on growth performance, hydrocyanide intake, haematological indices and serum thiocyanate concentration of broiler chicks was investigated using 300-day-old male broilers. There were five dietary treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of two processing methods of cassava root (peeled and unpeeled) included at two levels (100 and 200 g/kg) plus a control diet (maize-based diet, containing no cassava root). Each treatment was replicated six times with ten birds per replicate. The feeding trial lasted for 28 days. Control-fed birds had the highest overall (P < 0.01) final liveweight and weight gain, least (P < 0.05) hydrocyanide (HCN) intake and best (P < 0.05) feed-to-gain ratio. Chicks fed with control and diet containing 100 g/kg peeled cassava root meal (PCRM) had the least (P < 0.05) feed cost per weight gain. Chicks fed with diet containing 100 g/kg cassava root meal had higher (P < 0.05) final liveweight and weight gain and reduced (P < 0.05) HCN intake than chicks fed with diet containing 200 g/kg cassava root meal. Dietary inclusion of peeled cassava root meal (PCRM) for broiler chicks resulted in increased final liveweight (P < 0.05), weight gain (P < 0.01) and feed intake (P < 0.01) when compared with birds fed with diet containing unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM). The least (P < 0.01) final liveweight and weight gain and worst (P < 0.05) feed-to-gain ratio were obtained with chicks fed with diet containing 200 g/kg UCRM. Increased dietary inclusion levels of cassava root resulted in significant increase (P < 0.05) in white blood cell (WBC) count, heterophil count and serum thiocyanate concentration. In comparison with chicks fed with diet containing UCRM, dietary inclusion of PCRM resulted in increased (P < 0.05) red blood cell (RBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and reduced (P < 0.05) white blood cell (WBC) count and serum thiocyanate concentration. Although inclusion of 100 g/kg PCRM showed some economic sense, dietary inclusion of either peeled or unpeeled cassava root poses a threat on growth and health status of broiler chicks.

Performances and haematological profile of broilers fed fermented dried cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

“…This present finding was different from that of reported by Akapo et al (2014) when feeding 10 % peeled cassava root meal, resulting in reduced final BW and increased feed-to-gain ratio of broilers. The increased dietary crude fibre and HCN and the reduced CP contents with increasing the levels of cassava root had been suggested to predispose the cassava-fed birds to gain less weight as compared to control (Akapo et al 2014). This seemed, however, not the case in our present study as we balanced the energy, CP and fibre contents in our experimental diets.…”

“…the content of cyanogenetic glycosides compounds (Chauynarong et al 2009). Akapo et al (2014) reported that although inclusion of 10 % peeled cassava root meal in the diet had some economic advantages, this practice might impair the growth and health of broiler chickens due to reduced protein content and the presence of cyanogenetic glycosides residues leading to incidence of toxicity. Earlier study has confirmed that fermentation could be a simple means to detoxify cyanogenetic glycosides in cassava roots (Kobawila et al 2005).…”

Improving Cassava Quality for Poultry Feeding Through Application of Biotechnology

“…In a study with local chickens [40], it was reported that birds lost 2 g/day when feed fresh feed materials, including cassava roots and duckweed, and attributed the poor performance mostly to the presence of ANF in the fresh feed materials. When unprocessed (peeled and unpeeled cassava root meal) was fed to broilers, Akapo et al [41] reported depressed feed intake, weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio, mostly with birds fed the unpeeled cassava root meal. The study concluded that up to 100 g/kg dietary inclusion of the meals poses a threat to growth and health status of broiler chicks [41].…”

“…When unprocessed (peeled and unpeeled cassava root meal) was fed to broilers, Akapo et al [41] reported depressed feed intake, weight gain and feed-to-gain ratio, mostly with birds fed the unpeeled cassava root meal. The study concluded that up to 100 g/kg dietary inclusion of the meals poses a threat to growth and health status of broiler chicks [41].…”

Growth performance and nutrient utilization of Clarias gariepinus fed with different dietary levels of processed cassava leaves

“…Linamarin is cyanogenic glycosides (2-B-Dglucopyranosy 1oxy-isobutryo nitrite) found in leaves and tuberous roots of cassava, which release high toxic cyanide (HCN) during hydrolysis at the time of digestion (Presston, 2004;Aderemi et al, 2012;Akapo et al, 2014). Previous researchers have attempted to increase non-conventional plant and animal materials to replace conventional feed ingredients like maize and fish meal in fish feed ration (Falaye, 1988;Fagbenro, 1992;Olatunde, 1996;Baruah et al, 2003;Eyo and Ezechie, 2004;Azaza et al, 2015).…”