Effect of Processed Cassava Peel Meal on Blood Chemistry Characteristics of Pullets

A 37-week feeding trial was conducted using 108 Dominant black strain of pullets to evaluate the effect of feeding diets containing retted cassava peel meal (RCPM) on their blood chemistry characteristics. The research was carried using a completely randomized design, from June 2009 to May 2010 at a private farm in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. The RCPM used in this study was prepared and included at rates of 0%, 10% and 20% to replace maize of the control diet. The birds were randomly allotted to the three dietary groups. On 12th week, the birds in group T2 and T3 had a significant decline (P =.05) in total protein values when compared to the birds on the control diet. In the 24thweek, the cholesterol values increased significantly (P =.05) with increasing RCPM inclusions, also at the 24th week, the serum Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values at 20% (T3) RCPM inclusion was significantly (P =.05) higher than values recorded in diets T1 and T2; but at the 37th week, values at the 10% (T2) inclusion rate was significantly lower (P =.05) than values recorded at the 0% (T1) and 20% (T3)RCPM inclusions respectively. The serum albumin values in the 37th week significantly increased (P =.05) in the treatment diets (T1 and T2) compared to the control diet (T1). The RCPM inclusions led to a significant decline (P =.05) in Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values in the 24th week. It can be concluded that up to 20% RCPM can be used in pullet diets to replace maize without adverse effect on the blood chemistry characteristics of the birds.