Growth and Haematological Characteristics of Broiler Starter Birds Fed Processed Taro Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) Corm Meal

Aims: Broiler production fulfils important socio-economic functions, but inadequate nutrition, scarcity and high cost of feedstuffs in developing countries undermines broilers in expressing their full potential. Therefore a 28 day feeding trail was conducted to determine the growth performance and haematological parameters of broiler starter birds fed processed taro cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) corm meal.

Study Design: The birds were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups with 3 replicates of 12 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design pattern.

Place and Duration: Federal college of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ivo, L.G.A. Ebonyi State, Nigeria between August and September, 2015.

Methodology: 144 Anak broiler starters were used for this experiment. Four dietary treatments designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 were formulated to contain 0%, 5%, 10% and 15% levels of taro cocoyam corm meal. Other ingredients remained constant for the four diets. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Blood samples (4 ml) were drawn from the animals on the last day of the study through the wing vein and analysed for haematological indices.

Results: Results showed that final body differed (P<0.05) significantly and was highest for T2 (845.82g) and lowest for T4 (765.21 g). Similarly, total feed intake and average daily feed intake showed a significant (P<0.05) difference with T3 having highest intakes relative to T4 with the lowest intakes. Total weight gain, average daily weight and feed conversion ratio were similar (P>0.05). White blood cell count of birds in control group was significantly (p<0.05) higher and better than the treatment groups.

Conclusion: These results showed that inclusion of taro cocoyam corm meal at 10% was relatively best and supported weight gain, feed intake and haematological characteristics of the birds and therefore recommended for optimum broiler starter production.