Performance and economics of broiler chickens fed varying levels of yam peel meal with Roxazyme-G supplementation

Abstract

Two hundred and sixty day old Arbor Acre strain of broilers were used in a 56-day experiment to investigate the effect of replacing maize with varying levels of yam peel meal (YPM) with enzyme supplementation on the growth performance and economics of production of broiler chickens. Four experimental broiler starter and finisher diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous to provide 22% and 20% crude protein respectively with varying levels of enzyme supplemented YPM which replaced maize at 0, 10, 20 and 30% levels in treatments T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ respectively. The birds were randomly allocated to the four dietary treatments having 5 replicates of 13 birds each in a completely randomized design. The birds were raised on deep litter system. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The results showed that means of final body weight, daily weight gain, FCR and PER of the broilers were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by the varying levels of enzyme supplemented YPM. Feed intake of birds significantly (p<0.05) increased with increasing levels of enzyme supplemented YPM.  Feed cost per kilogram was within the range of ₦129.82 to ₦79.40. Feed cost consumed, feed cost per weight gain and cost of production significantly decreased (p<0.05) as the level of enzyme supplemented YPM in the diets increased. The revenue generated were comparable among dietary treatments whereas gross margin was significantly (p<0.05) higher in T₄ and T₃ compared to T₁ and T₂. It was concluded that enzyme supplemented YPM can replace maize up to 30% YPM in practical broiler diet at least cost and greater gross margin without any detrimental effect and can mitigate environmental hazards in communities where yam peels are wasted.