Effects of the addition of vegetable oil or animal tallow to broiler diets containing cassava root meal.

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects on broiler performance of increasing by 5% the metabolizable energy level of diets containing cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) root meal (CRM: 0, 20, and 30%) by adding either vegetable oil (Experiment 1) or animal tallow (Experiment 2). The CRM used was detoxified by sun-drying whole root chips of a high cyanide-containing (bitter) cultivar (CMC-84) on a concrete floor. All experimental diets were supplied in mash form. Supplementary vegetable oil or animal tallow did not affect (P greater than .05) growth rate. Feed conversion (feed/gain) was improved (P less than .05) during the starter (0 to 28 days) period as well as at the end of the experiments (56 days). Body weight gain, feed consumption, and feed conversion were not affected (P greater than .05) by any of the dietary treatments during the finishing (28 to 56 days) period of both experiments. Diets containing 20% CRM produced somewhat higher (P greater than .05; Experiment 1) or significantly higher (P less than .05, Experiment 2) final body weights.