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Growth performance, cost benefits, haematological and serum indices of gilts fed fortified ensiled cassava root-leaf blends as a replacement for maize

Amos, Adedoyin T.^1*, Adeleye O.O.², Oso O.A.¹, Idowu, O.M.O.¹, Durojaiye, O.J.¹, Adewumi, L.¹ and Saliu, K.G.¹

¹Department of Animal Nutrition
²Department of Animal Production and Health
Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2019 22(2): 47-54

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An 8-week feeding trial to investigate the inclusion of ensiled cassava root-leaf blends (ECRLB) fortified with no additive (ECRLB1), Allzyme? SSF (ECRLB2), amino acids (ECRLB3) and Allzyme + amino acids (ECRLB4) at 30% replacement value for maize in diets of gilts was conducted. Maize based diet (MBD) served as control. Twenty gilts (3?4 months old) were randomly allotted to dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with 4 pigs per treatment. Growth performance, haematological indices and serum chemistry were measured. Improved (P<0.05) weight gain was recorded for gilts fed ECRLB3 (433g d-1) and ECRLB4 (419g d-1) than others. Feed to gain ratio of fortified ECRLB group were similar to MBD but better (P<0.05) than ECRLB1. The feed costs (?155.34? ?162.17) kg-1 weight gain of gilts fed fortified ECRLB were lower (P<0.05) than MBD (?176.74). Haematological indices and serum chemistry values for gilts fed MBD and fortified ECRLB fell within the recommended range. It was concluded that fortified ECRLB could be used to replace maize in the diets of gilts for optimal performance.