Performance, serum biochemical indices and crude protein utilization by broiler chickens fed diets based on two varieties of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) grits II. Finisher Phase

Effects of feeding diets based on grits from two varieties of cassava on performance, selected serum biochemical indices and crude protein  utilization by broiler finisher chickens was studied. In a completely randomized design, Abor Acre broiler chickens (n=210) aged 21 days were allotted to seven dietary treatments; each replicated thrice comprising 10 birds per replicate. Seven isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets were  formulated; diet 1 contained 50 % maize and 0% cassava grits while diets 2, 3 and 4 had 25, 50 and 75% of maize replaced, respectively with cassava grits from TMS 01/1371, diets 5, 6 and 7 had their maize replaced with cassava grits from TME 419 at 25, 50 and 75%, respectively. Chickens were fed on respective experimental diets and offered water ad libitum for three weeks. Feed intake, weight gain, feed and conversion ratio (FCR) differed significantly (P<0.05) while metabolizable crude protein (MCP) values were similar (P>0.05). Higher daily weight gain (DWG) was obtained in birds on diet 7 (69.56 g), 1 (62.71) and 4 (60.25) compared with those on diets 6 (58.10), 3 (54.76), 2 (52.02) and 5 (50.07). Serum albumin (g/dL) were lowerbut similar in birds on diets 2 (2.35), 3 (2.03), 4(1.97) 5 (1.98). Globulin values varied significantly (P<0.05) across treatments. There was however, no significant effect of treatments (P<0.05) on total protein, aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, serum urea nitrogen and creatinine. Interactions of grit varieties and increased dietary inclusion levels of TMS 01/1371 reduced metabolizable crude protein of finishers' broiler significantly (P<0.05). This relationship was not significant for TME 419 (P>0.05). Dietary cassava grits from both varieties of cassava had no deleterious effect on overall broiler chickens performance. However, there was gross reduction in metabolizable crude protein with increasing dietary inclusion of cassava grits. Keywords: Broiler performance, Serum biochemical indices, Cassava grits, â-carotene cassava, Metabolizable crude protei