Evaluation of yam - sweet potato peels mixture as source of energy in broiler chickens diets

In the search for alternative energy sources for poultry feeding, a 9-week experiment was conducted to ascertain the replacement value of yam-sweet potato peels mixture (YSPPM) for maize in broiler chickens diets. One hundred and eighty (180) Anak-2000 broiler chicks aged 6 days were randomly assigned to 12 floor pens containing 15 birds each. Four diets, based on 23 and 20% crude protein in the starter and finisher respectively, were formulated to contain 0, 15, 30, and 45% YSPPM as replacement for maize grain. Each of the diets was fed to 3 pens of 15 birds in a completely randomized design. Data were collected on growth indices, haematological profile, and carcass measurements and organs weights. During the starter period (7-28 days), daily feed intake and feed cost/kg gain were not adversely affected by feeding the test ingredient, but weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were depressed above 15% replacement of maize with the test material. In the finisher phase (28-63 days), feed intake was significantly increased on the 45% replacement diet compared to the control but did not differ statistically amongst the YSPPM-based diets as well as amongst the control, 15 and 30% replacement diets. The highest daily gain was recorded on the 15% replacement diet, but its values did not differ markedly amongst the control, 30 and 45% diets. Feed conversion ratio was significantly increased above 15% replacement of maize with YSPPM. Feed cost per kg gain was significantly reduced on the 15 and 45% replacement diets. The results of haematology did not show any depressive effect of feeding YSPPM. Similarly, the results of carcass measurements and organs weights did not show any disadvantage of feeding YSPPM, but there were beneficial effects of its feeding over the control maize-based diet with respect to breast meat and abdominal fat deposition. It was concluded that YSPPM can replace maize up to 15 and 45% in broiler starter and finisher diets respectively without adverse effects on the growth, haematological profile and carcass measurements.