The Effect Of The Inclusion Of Different Levels Of Sweet Potato Meal On The Feed Consumption Rate Of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

This study examined the effect of the replacement of maize with different levels of sweet potato meal (SPM) on the consumption rate of broiler chicks. There were six treatment rations, A, B, C, D, E, and F, with O%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%and 50% inclusion of SPM.The highest average weekly feed consumption was observed with birds in Treatment F (525.46g) while the lowest was in Treatment ration A(493.38g).The difference between the total feed consumed by the chicks in the different treatment rations was however not statistically significant(P>0.05).

The inclusion of SPM in the rations (between 10%-50% replacement of maize) did not decrease palatability and hence feed consumption. Sweet potato meal can therefore conveniently replace maize in broiler starter rations.

Key words: Sweet potato meal,broiler chicks,feed consumption

Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol.2(1) 2004: 80-83