Mistura de raiz e da parte aérea da mandioca (manihot esculenta crants) em ração para frangos de corte tipo caipira

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the zootechnical and economic feasibility of including a mixture of cassava roots and aerial parts (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in the diet of slow-growing free-range broiler chickens as an alternative to the partial replacement of conventional feed ingredients. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three inclusion levels of the cassava mixture in the diets (0%, 20%, and 40%), five replicates, and seven birds per experimental unit. Chickens were reared from 45 to 90 days of age, and final body weight, feed conversion ratio, and feed production costs were evaluated. The results showed that the inclusion of the cassava mixture up to 40% did not significantly affect the final body weight of the birds at 90 days of age (p > 0.05), with a coefficient of variation of 14.31%, indicating satisfactory experimental precision. An increase in feed conversion ratio was observed with higher inclusion levels; however, productive performance remained within acceptable standards for alternative production systems. Economic analysis demonstrated a progressive reduction in feed costs and in the cost per kilogram of meat produced, especially at the 40% inclusion level. It is concluded that the use of cassava in its entirety is a technically feasible, economically advantageous, and sustainable alternative, contributing to production cost reduction and strengthening family farming in free-range poultry systems.