Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology A 1 (2011) 519-524 Earlier title: Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, ISSN 1939-1250 Ensiled Cassava Peel and Caged Layers’ Manure Mixture as Energy Source in Broiler Starter Diet F. A. S. Dairo, A. Aina, L. Omoyeni and M. K. Adegun Department of Animal Production and Health Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Ado-Ekiti, P.M.B. 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria Received: October 25, 2010 / Published: August 20, 2011. Abstract: The replacement of maize with dried cassava peel and dried caged layers’ manure mixed in ratio 5:1 (w/w), ensiled for 14 days was investigated in broiler starter diet to evaluate their growth responses. The fermented mixture was used to partially replace maize at 0, 25% and 50% in broiler starter diet. Ninety (90) day old chicks, of Anark breed were divided into three groups of three replicates each. There were ten birds per replicate and each group was fed each of the dietary treatment ad libitum for 28 days. Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate aminotransaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.1), alanine aminotransaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.2), carcass cut parts and cost per kilogram flesh gained were monitored. Results showed linear increase (P < 0.05) in feed intake, body weight gain, FCR, and PER. The serum proteins and enzymes monitored were not influenced (P > 0.05) by treatments. The eviscerated weight, wings and large intestine length were higher (P < 0.05) in birds fed 50% replacement of maize diet. The cost of feed per kilogramme and cost per kilogramme flesh gained was best (P < 0.05) in birds fed diets 50% replacement of maize. Therefore, fermented mixture of cassava peel and caged layers’ manure (FCPCLM) in broiler starter diet at 50% dietary level support good performance, enhanced gain in eviscerated weight and reasonable cost per kilogramme flesh gained at the starter phase. Key words: Fermented, response, performance, serum proteins and enzymes, broiler. 1. Introduction Feed is an important component of poultry enterprise and has been generally known to be responsible for 70% to 80% of the total cost of production. Cost of energy in poultry feed had been reported to be about 70% of the total feed cost and about 40% of poultry production cost [1, 2]. Some of the feed raw materials used in poultry feed production such as the cereals, oil-seed cakes and other agro industrial by-products are still being largely imported at high cost to keep the poultry and livestock industries going in many least developing countries. Maize is the main source of energy in most farm animal feeds. In the developed nations of the world, Corresponding author: F. A. S. Dairo, Ph.D., senior lecturer, research field: feed resource and management. fasdairo@yahoo.com. maize is produced largely to feed livestock. However, the situation is different in the least developing countries where cereals, legumes and some other animal feed components are staple foods for man. This brings about a “food-feed” competition for these commodities; hence they become expensive component of animal feed. Alternatives have been researched into such as cassava tuber products [3-5] and other agro industrial by-products such as wheat bran, maize middling and maize duzza to substitute for cereals in livestock feeds, with a view to reduce cost of production [6]. Recent development where cereals and other carbohydrates sources such as cassava tubers are now being used for ethanol and biofuel production has further aggravated the feed situation in many developing countries. Taking cognisance of this