Development of broiler chickens fed with different percentages of cassava meal

The objective was to determine the zootechnical performance of broiler chickens fed different diets containing cassava meal. A total of 450 male broiler chickens of the Cobb lineage was used. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% inclusion of cassava meal) and five replications, composed of 18 birds per experimental unit. Morphometric characteristics of broiler chickens were evaluated: live weight, and weights of full and empty carcasses, livers, hearts, full and empty gizzards, abdominal fat, wings, thighs, drumsticks, breasts, and dorse. Data were tested using an analysis of variance, regression model, and cluster and discriminant analyses. There was a difference in the weight of the heart, full gizzard, wing, thigh, drumstick, and breast in relation to the different diets. The inclusion of 8.2%, 57.57%, and 25.38% cassava meal maximized thighs at 323.96 g, drumsticks at 385.04 g, and breasts at 921.12 g, respectively. The formation of two groups of birds was verified, and the classification rate was 92%. Inclusion of up to 50% cassava meal in the broiler diet did not alter its zootechnical performance, implying a lower cost of production.