Effects of different graded levels of tannia (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) on growth performance of broiler chicken

Abstract An investigation was undertaken to study the effect of replacing maize grain with tannia corm meal (TCM) on growth performance parameters and economic feasibility of Ross 308 broiler chickens. A total of 180 unsexed day-old chicks were randomly divided into 15 pens, each with 12 chicks, and assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 3 replications. The treatments were replacement of maize grain with TCM at 0 (T 1), 15 (T 2), 30 (T 3), 45 (T 4) and 60% (T 5) levels. Feed intake, growth performance and mortality when it occurred were recorded, while weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. DM, CP, CF, EE and ash composition of TCM were 90.6, 3.7, 2.2, 1.2 and 2.2%, respectively, while its ME was 3121.21 kcal/kg DM. Daily feed intake of birds during starter phase was significantly different (P < 0.05) and increased as TCM inclusion level increased. However, during the finisher and entire production period, this value was comparable. Average daily gain (ADG) and FCR during starter and entire production period and final body weight of chickens were significantly (P < 0.05) different among treatment diets, while ADG and FCR during finisher phase and mortality rate were comparable across dietary treatments. Based on feed intake and rate of mortality recorded in this study, TCM in broilers diet could substitute maize grain up to 60%. However, taking the growth performance and economic benefits into consideration, its substitution should not be more than 45%.