EFFECT OF WET ("MOIST") FEED ON NUTRIENT DIGESTTB1LTTY AND IZPI'ARENT METABOLIZABLE ENERGY CONTENTS OF COC.KEREL CHICK DIETS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted with 66 day-old Hyperco cockerel chicks. Cassava (Mauihot esculenta) peels of mixed varieties, harvested at between 9-10 months of age, were used for this study which lasted for 8 weeks. The chicks were randomly allotted to the 2 dietary treatments A (dry mash) and B (wet, "moist" mash). Significant differences (P<0.05) existed between treatment on crude protein and ether extract digestibility’s. No Significant differences (P<0.05) existed between treatments on the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) contents of the diets. Considering the ease of producing wet (“moist”) feeds, their use in poultry nutrition offers considerable coni1nerci.11 benefit if suitable equipment are developed for mixing and delivering them to the birds. Wet ("moist") feeding has no adverse effects on nutrient digestibility arid AME of the diets.