Abstract

This study assessed the effect of multi-enzyme supplemented cassoya-based (40:60 mixture of cassava root meal and full-fat soybeans) diets on growth performance morphometric analysis and economy of production of broiler chickens. Three hundred day-old ROSS 308 broiler chickens were studied for 6 weeks; using 6 dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds each. Cassoya inclusion levels of 0, 50 and 100 % were used in the first to third treatments without enzyme while the fourth to sixth had 10 g/ton multi-enzyme supplementation. Data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design. Cassoya inclusion significantly influenced (p<0.05) the final weight, daily weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, feed cost per kg weight gain. Birds fed 0% and 50% cassoya with enzyme inclusion showed higher (p<0.05) values 2040.00g and 1918.00g respectively for final weight. Improved values of 1.82 and 257.72 naira/kg gain were recorded respectively for feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg in birds fed 50% cassoya with enzyme supplementation. Villus height and crepth depth in duodenum and jejunum were significantly influenced by dietary treatments. In conclusion, cassoya diet at 50 % inclusion level with enzyme supplementation improves growth performance and gut health in broiler finisher chickens.