Abstract

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding fermented cassava-palm kernel cake (PKC) on weight gain in broiler finishers. Twenty-five 25-day-old chicks were used and divided into five groups. Each group was fed a different diet with varying ratios of maize to cassava roots-palm kernel cake (PKC). The study found no significant difference in weight gain between birds fed fermented cassava roots-PKC and those fed maize. The fermented cassava-PKC had no impact on blood AST, ALT, or ALP levels, creatinine, or urea levels. However, there was a significant difference in albumin levels between birds fed fermented cassava-PKC diets and the control group. Blood calcium levels were higher in birds fed fermented cassava-PKC diets, with the highest levels in the 1:1 maize:fCassava-PKC diet. Birds on the control diet had higher cholesterol levels than those on the experimental diets, while serum triglyceride levels were lower in birds fed fermented cassava-PKC diets compared to the control group. The study concluded that fermented cassava roots-PKC can be used as a substitute for maize in broiler finisher diets without affecting performance.

Key words: Broiler, solid state fermentation, cassava roots, palm kernel cake.