Performance and feed cost benefit of laying birds fed diet containing fermented cassava peel meal blended with palm oil sludge.

This study investigated the performance of laying birds fed diet containing fermented cassava peel meal (FCPM) mixed with palm oil sludge (POS). The fermented cassava peel meal was obtained by putting the fresh cassava peels in an air tight polyethene bag for four days to enhance the fermentation process after which it was sundried until the weight becomes constant. Then, the fermented cassava peels were milled to obtain fermented cassava peel meal. The mixing of FCPM with POS gave rise to a new product called  FCPM+POS. Eight- four (84) days feeding trial was conducted using one hundred and 120 Isa brown strain of  laying hens of twenty-four weeks old was procured from a reputable poultry farm  that were raised in a deep liter system. On the day one of the study, the birds were weighed and randomly separated into three groups of forty (40) birds each. Each group was further subdivided into four replicates of ten (10) birds each. Three diets were formulated with diet 1 as the control diet while diet 2 (FCPM), 3 (ECPM+POS) had a 20 % replacement level of maize with cassava peel meal each. At the end of the trial, the layer performances, economics of production and egg quality were estimated.  There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in feed intake, final body weight and feed conversion ratio among the treatment groups. The dietary levels of the test material in laying hens ration reduced cost of producing one kilogram of feed and this was reflected in cost of egg (?/ kg) produced. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups in oblong circumference, egg weight and shell weight, but the horizontal circumference recorded significant difference (P < 0.05) among the group in horizontal circumference. Haugh unit were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the treatment. The albumin index, yolk index, yolk colour values among the groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05).There were significant differences (P < 0.05) among the treatment groups in the 11^th week of the experiment for hen day egg production. It was concluded that 20% processed cassava peel meal mixed with palm oil sludge could replace maize without adversely affecting the overall layer performances, economics of production and egg quality.