E-ISSN 2218-6050 | ISSN 2226-4485
 

Research Article


Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality

Shahabuddin Ahmed, Hemayet Hossain, Md. Taslim Hossain, Shaolin Ferdouse, Asraful Alam, Dipankar Sardar, Md. Alauddin, Md. Mahfujur Rahman, Mrityunjoy Biswas.


Abstract
Background:
The rising feed costs and the need for sustainable alternatives have prompted the exploration of unconventional feed resources in poultry nutrition.

Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating cassava root meal (CRM) + leaf meal (LM) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, hemo-biochemical parameters, and meat quality of broiler chickens.

Methods:
A total of 400 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments: control (T1, 0% CRM + LM), T2 (5% CRM + 5% LM), T3 (10% CRM + 10% LM), and T4 (15% CRM + 15% LM). Each treatment group consisted of five replicates with 20 birds each, and the experiment lasted 35 days.

Results:
Broilers fed the T2 diet demonstrated significantly (p < 0.001) improved body weight, feed intake, and feed efficiency ratio while exhibiting a better feed conversion ratio compared to other groups. Additionally, T4 resulted in superior carcass characteristics. Although the proximate composition of thigh meat showed significant (p < 0.001) variations, but parameters such as crude protein, ash, and ether extract remained unaffected in breast meat. Diet T2 also had the highest levels of total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity (DPPH scavenging), alongside excellent sensory acceptability.

Conclusion:
Overall, these findings indicate that incorporating 5% CRM + 5% LM (T2) in broiler diets optimizes growth performance, meat quality, and health without adverse effects. This study highlights the potential of CRM and LM as a sustainable and cost-effective feed ingredient for broiler production, particularly in Asia, where feed costs pose significant challenges.

Key words: Cassava meal; Growth performance; Blood profile; Meat quality; Broiler.


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Shahabuddin Ahmed
Articles by Hemayet Hossain
Articles by Md. Taslim Hossain
Articles by Shaolin Ferdouse
Articles by Asraful Alam
Articles by Dipankar Sardar
Articles by Md. Alauddin
Articles by Md. Mahfujur Rahman
Articles by Mrityunjoy Biswas
on Google
on Google Scholar


How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Ahmed S, Hossain H, Hossain MT, Ferdouse S, Alam A, Sardar D, Alauddin M, Rahman MM, Biswas M. Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(1): 560-576. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53


Web Style

Ahmed S, Hossain H, Hossain MT, Ferdouse S, Alam A, Sardar D, Alauddin M, Rahman MM, Biswas M. Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality. https://www.openveterinaryjournal.com/?mno=276828 [Access: February 04, 2026]. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Ahmed S, Hossain H, Hossain MT, Ferdouse S, Alam A, Sardar D, Alauddin M, Rahman MM, Biswas M. Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality. Open Vet. J.. 2026; 16(1): 560-576. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Ahmed S, Hossain H, Hossain MT, Ferdouse S, Alam A, Sardar D, Alauddin M, Rahman MM, Biswas M. Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality. Open Vet. J.. (2026), [cited February 04, 2026]; 16(1): 560-576. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53



Harvard Style

Ahmed, S., Hossain, . H., Hossain, . M. T., Ferdouse, . S., Alam, . A., Sardar, . D., Alauddin, . M., Rahman, . M. M. & Biswas, . M. (2026) Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality. Open Vet. J., 16 (1), 560-576. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53



Turabian Style

Ahmed, Shahabuddin, Hemayet Hossain, Md. Taslim Hossain, Shaolin Ferdouse, Asraful Alam, Dipankar Sardar, Md. Alauddin, Md. Mahfujur Rahman, and Mrityunjoy Biswas. 2026. Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (1), 560-576. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53



Chicago Style

Ahmed, Shahabuddin, Hemayet Hossain, Md. Taslim Hossain, Shaolin Ferdouse, Asraful Alam, Dipankar Sardar, Md. Alauddin, Md. Mahfujur Rahman, and Mrityunjoy Biswas. "Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality." Open Veterinary Journal 16 (2026), 560-576. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Ahmed, Shahabuddin, Hemayet Hossain, Md. Taslim Hossain, Shaolin Ferdouse, Asraful Alam, Dipankar Sardar, Md. Alauddin, Md. Mahfujur Rahman, and Mrityunjoy Biswas. "Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality." Open Veterinary Journal 16.1 (2026), 560-576. Print. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Ahmed, S., Hossain, . H., Hossain, . M. T., Ferdouse, . S., Alam, . A., Sardar, . D., Alauddin, . M., Rahman, . M. M. & Biswas, . M. (2026) Cassava root and leaf meal as alternatives to energy and protein sources in broiler diets: Impacts on growth, carcass traits, blood biochemistry, meat quality. Open Veterinary Journal, 16 (1), 560-576. doi:10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i1.53