Abstract

This study assessed the supplemental value of Roxazyme® G2 in the utilization of cassava fibre meal (CFM) by broiler-chickens in a 56 day feeding trial. A batch of three hundred and sixty day-old Arbor acre broiler-chicks was allotted to twelve treatments replicated five times of six birds in a 4 × 3 factorial in complete randomization. Cassava fibre meal was substituted for maize at 0, 20, 40 and 60% levels and Roxazyme® G2 supplementation was at 0, 100 and 200 mgkg-1. Results showed that CFM substitution at 40 and 60% levels for maize led to significant decrease (p<0.05) in weight gain of broiler chickens at both starter and finisher stages while feed conversion ratio was significant (p<0.05) at 60% CFM substitution at the starter phase. The effect of enzyme supplementation was not significant in the physiological growth of the birds at both starter and finisher stages. Eviscerated weight, liver and kidney weights were significantly (p<0.05) affected by CFM substitution. The effect of interaction was not significant (p>0.05) indicating that performance, carcass and organ description of broiler chickens were not dependent of the two factors under investigation. At starter phase, CFM substitution led to the saving of $0.07-0.08 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain and $0.08-0.13 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain on broiler finisher production. Roxazyme® G2 supplementation only at 100 mgkg-1 led to the saving of $0.03 and 0.01 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain at the starter and finisher stages respectively.

Key words: Broiler chickens, cassava fibre meal, Roxazyme® G2, weight gain.