Performance of broiler chickens fed maize-based diets substituted with graded levels of sweet potato meal

The performance of Ross broiler chickens fed on Sweet Potato Meal (SPM) as a dietary source of energy was studied. The study was carried out at both starter (0-4 wks) and finisher (5- 9 wks) phases. In both phases, SPM was incorporated at graded levels of 0. 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent and dietary proteins were adjusted to make the diets iso-nitrogenous. In the starter phase, three replicates of I5 birds each were randomly allocated to each of the 6 treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment while the number of birds per replicate was reduced to 14 for the finisher phase using the same experimental design. Parameters measured or calculated include feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, feed costs, feed cost/kg weight gain, mortality and carcass characteristics. The results showed similar trends in both phases. Differences in the feed intake were not significant (P>0.05) while weight gain, feed cost/kg weight gain and total cost of rearing the birds decreased significantly (P<0.05). The Control, 10% 20% and 30% SPM diets gave similar weight gain and feed gain ratio. The Control gave the best performance in both starter and finisher phases, although its performance was not significantly different (P>0.05) from that of the 30%SPM diet Sweet Potato Meal level had no adverse effects on mortality and carcass characteristics. It is therefore concluded from this study that SPM should not be included beyond 30% level in a maize-based diet when protein requirement of birds is satisfied.