According to Gram Research analysis, replacing 10% of corn with cassava root meal in broiler chicken feed significantly improves growth performance and feed efficiency without harming meat quality. A 2026 study of 400 broiler chickens found that the 10% cassava group achieved higher body weight, better feed conversion ratios, and meat with superior protein content and antioxidant properties compared to chickens fed corn-only diets.
Researchers tested whether cassava root meal could replace some of the corn in chicken feed, since cassava is cheap and plentiful in tropical areas. They fed 400 broiler chickens different diets over 35 days, with some groups getting 10%, 20%, or 30% cassava meal instead of corn. The chickens that ate 10% cassava meal grew better, converted feed more efficiently, and produced meat with higher protein content than those eating regular corn-only feed. The study suggests cassava could be a practical, affordable alternative to corn for raising healthy chickens.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research article studying 400 broiler chickens found that replacing 10% of corn with cassava root meal resulted in significantly higher body weight and improved feed conversion efficiency compared to control diets.
In the same study, thigh muscle crude protein increased from 15.30% in the control group to 20.28% in chickens fed 20% cassava meal replacement, demonstrating improved meat nutritional quality.
Chickens fed 10% cassava root meal showed the highest total phenolic content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity in their meat, along with the best overall taste acceptability scores from sensory evaluation.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether replacing some corn with cassava root meal in chicken feed affects how well chickens grow and the quality of their meat.
- Who participated: 400 young broiler chickens (Arbor Acres breed) divided into four groups, with each group eating different amounts of cassava meal for 35 days.
- Key finding: Chickens eating 10% cassava meal grew faster, ate more efficiently, and produced meat with more protein than chickens eating regular corn-only feed.
- What it means for you: Farmers in tropical regions could save money by using cassava instead of corn while still raising healthy, high-quality chickens. This is especially helpful where cassava is abundant and affordable.
The Research Details
Scientists divided 400 young broiler chickens into four equal groups. The first group ate normal chicken feed with corn as the main grain. The other three groups ate feed where 10%, 20%, or 30% of the corn was replaced with cassava root meal. Each group had five smaller sections with 20 chickens each. The researchers fed all the chickens for 35 days (about 5 weeks) and measured how much they ate, how much they weighed, and how efficiently they converted food into body weight.
Throughout the study, scientists collected blood samples and measured the chickens’ health markers. After the feeding period ended, they examined the chickens’ meat quality, protein content, and other nutritional properties. They also had people taste-test the meat to see if cassava affected flavor or texture.
This research design is important because it tests a real-world solution for farmers. By using a controlled experiment with multiple groups eating different amounts of cassava, researchers could see exactly how much cassava works best without causing problems. Testing blood health and meat quality ensures the chickens stayed healthy, not just that they grew bigger.
The study used a solid experimental design with multiple treatment groups and replicate sections, which strengthens the findings. The researchers measured many different outcomes (growth, meat quality, blood health, taste) rather than just one thing. However, the study focused only on one chicken breed and one time period, so results might differ in other conditions or climates.
What the Results Show
The most important finding was that chickens eating 10% cassava meal (called T2) performed better than all other groups. These chickens had significantly higher body weight at the end of the study, ate more feed overall, and converted that feed into body weight more efficiently. Their feed conversion ratio—a measure of how much feed is needed to gain one pound of weight—was lower, meaning they wasted less food.
The 10% cassava group also showed excellent carcass characteristics, meaning the meat portions were well-developed and valuable. Their blood tests came back normal, showing that cassava didn’t harm their health. Interestingly, chickens eating 20% cassava (T3) showed even higher protein content in their thigh meat (20.28% crude protein) compared to the control group (15.30%), suggesting cassava might actually improve meat quality in some ways.
The meat from chickens eating cassava tasted good too. When people rated the meat, the 10% cassava group received the highest overall acceptability scores, meaning the meat was tender, flavorful, and appealing. This shows that cassava doesn’t create any off-flavors or texture problems.
Beyond the main results, researchers found that cassava meal added beneficial compounds to the chicken meat. The 10% cassava diet had the highest amount of total phenolic content and flavonoid content—these are natural plant compounds with antioxidant properties that may benefit health. The meat from these chickens also showed the strongest DPPH scavenging activity, a measure of antioxidant power. This suggests that cassava might actually improve the nutritional value of chicken meat by adding protective compounds.
This research builds on earlier studies suggesting that cassava could replace grains in animal feed. Previous research hinted that cassava was feasible, but this study is more comprehensive because it tested multiple replacement levels and measured many health and quality markers. The findings align with what researchers expected: cassava works as an energy source similar to corn. However, this study goes further by showing that moderate cassava replacement (10%) actually improves performance rather than just matching corn.
The study tested only one chicken breed (Arbor Acres) over one 35-day period, so results might differ with other breeds or longer feeding times. The research was conducted in one location, so climate and local conditions might affect results elsewhere. The study didn’t test cassava replacement levels higher than 30%, so we don’t know if even higher amounts would work. Additionally, the study didn’t compare costs directly, though cassava’s affordability in tropical regions is well-known.
The Bottom Line
Farmers in tropical regions where cassava is abundant should consider replacing 10% of corn with cassava root meal in broiler chicken feed. This level shows the best results for growth, feed efficiency, and meat quality. Replacing more than 10% (up to 20-30%) may still work but doesn’t provide additional benefits and might reduce performance slightly. This recommendation is supported by strong evidence from a controlled study.
Poultry farmers in tropical and subtropical regions where cassava grows abundantly should pay attention to this research. It’s especially relevant for small-scale and commercial farmers looking to reduce feed costs without sacrificing chicken quality. Consumers who care about sustainable, locally-sourced animal feed should also find this interesting. However, farmers in temperate regions where cassava isn’t readily available may not benefit, since transportation costs would eliminate the savings.
Farmers would see results within the normal broiler growing period of 5-6 weeks. Improved feed efficiency means chickens would reach market weight faster, potentially saving time and money. The benefits appear immediately once cassava is introduced into the feed—there’s no waiting period for adaptation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can cassava replace corn in chicken feed?
Research shows that cassava root meal can replace up to 10% of corn in broiler chicken feed while improving growth performance and feed efficiency. A 2026 study of 400 chickens found that 10% cassava replacement resulted in better body weight gains and superior meat quality compared to corn-only diets.
Does cassava affect the taste or quality of chicken meat?
No, cassava doesn’t negatively affect meat quality. The 2026 study found that chickens fed 10% cassava meal produced meat with higher protein content and better taste acceptability scores. The meat also contained more antioxidant compounds, potentially improving nutritional value.
How much money could farmers save by using cassava instead of corn?
While the study didn’t calculate exact savings, cassava is significantly cheaper and more abundant than corn in tropical regions. Replacing 10% of corn with cassava could reduce feed costs substantially, especially for farmers in areas where cassava grows locally.
Is it safe to feed cassava to chickens?
Yes, cassava is safe for chickens when used as a partial replacement for corn. Blood tests from the 2026 study showed normal health markers in all chickens, including those fed up to 30% cassava meal, indicating no harmful effects on chicken health.
What’s the best percentage of cassava to use in chicken feed?
Research indicates 10% cassava replacement is optimal. A 2026 study of 400 broiler chickens found that 10% cassava provided the best growth performance, feed efficiency, and meat quality, with no additional benefits from higher replacement levels.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If you raise chickens, track weekly body weight gains and daily feed consumption for each flock. Compare these metrics between batches fed with cassava-supplemented feed versus regular feed to monitor real-world performance on your farm.
- Farmers can gradually introduce cassava root meal into their feed mix, starting with 10% replacement of corn, and monitor chicken growth rates and health over a 5-week period to confirm results match the study.
- Maintain a simple spreadsheet tracking feed costs, chicken weights at key intervals (weekly), feed conversion ratios, and final meat quality observations. Compare these metrics month-to-month to ensure cassava-supplemented feed consistently delivers the expected benefits.
This research applies specifically to broiler chickens and may not generalize to other poultry types or livestock. Results were obtained under controlled laboratory conditions and may vary based on local climate, cassava variety, feed preparation methods, and farm management practices. Farmers should consult with local agricultural extension services or veterinarians before making large-scale feed changes. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional agricultural or veterinary advice. Individual farm results may differ from study findings.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.