Replacement Value Of Tigernut (Cyperus Esculentus) For Maize In A Groundnut Cake-Based Broiler Diet

ABSTRACT

Replacement value of tigernut for maize in Groundnut Cake based-broiler diet was investigated. One hundred and twenty broiler chicken were used for the trial which lasted 5 weeks (2-7 weeks). Five experimental diets were formulated, Diet 1 (control) has no tigernut while the other four diets had their dietary maize substituted with tigernut at 25, 50, 75 and 100%. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 8 birds per replicate in a Completely randomized Design. Data collected includes feed intake, weight changes while feed-to-gain ratio was calculated. The prevailing cost of feed ingredients vis-à-vis feed intake and other costs were used in calculating the economic efficiency of production. Results showed that values of the total and daily body weight gain and the feed-to-gain showed no significant different (p>O.OS). Daily body weight gain ranged from 2.33 to 2.63 g, with birds fed diet 3 having the highest value while those fed diet 4 had the least value. The feed-to-gain ratio exhibited a poor performance having values such as 18.35 to 20.35. But, the final birds weight, total and daily feed intake were significant. Cost/kg diet, cost of production and net losses showed significant differences (p<O.05). Cost/kg diet (N) was highest for diet 1, while as the substitution level of tigernut for maize increased from 25% to 100%, the cost/kg diet decreased from N83.00 to N77.59. Total feed consumed per bird (N) ranged from Ni 86.02 to N209.08 with birds fed diet I having the highest. In conclusion, the trial was economically unprofitable.