Dried cassava pulp as an alternative feedstuff for broilers: Effect on growth performance, carcass traits, digestive organs, and nutrient digestibility

Dried cassava pulp (DCP), a by-product of cassava starch factory processing, contains a large quantity of starch. Therefore, it is certainly worthwhile to investigate its use as an energy Source for Poultry feed. Two experiments were conducted to examine the potential use of DCP for broilers. Growth, carcass traits, length and weight of digestive organs, and nutrient digestibility were determined in broilers fed diets containing 0 to 16% DCP. Seven-day-old mixed-sex chicks (n = 240) were randomly distributed to 5 dietary treatment groups through 42 d of age (experiment 1). In experiment 2, a total of 50 chicks were randomly allotted to individual cages at 15 d and fed 1 of 5 diets for 10 d to measure digestibility. Results showed that growth performance and nutrient digestibility decreased with increasing levels of DCP. In most cases, these parameters did not change significantly when DCP was at or below 8%. A significant increase in gizzard weight and a reduction in abdominal fat were also found in broilers fed DCP. In conclusion, it is suggested that DCP be used as an energy source at inclusion levels up to 8% in broiler diets.