Impact of cashew meal (Anacardium occidentale) incorporation on the economic profitability of laying hen production (ISA Brown) in Côte d'Ivoire

In Côte d'Ivoire, protein feed in poultry farming is expensive. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of incorporating cashew meal on the economic profitability of laying hen production (ISA Brown). For this purpose, ISA Brown pullets were selected and fed with cashew meal-based feed. Batches were fed T0 (control), T1 (100% cashew meal), T2 (50% cashew meal) and T3 (95% cashew meal) feed. They were reared for forty-six (46) weeks and subjected to the same prophylaxis (health and medical). The price per kilogram of feed, the production cost and the total investment were impacted by the formulation. The gross profit margin per batch, the sale of livestock products and the economic profitability of the productions were also influenced by the formulation (cashew cake incorporation rate). The price per kilogram of feed (growing, pre-laying, and laying) was 181.04, 192.02 and 204.84 CFA francs (T0), 161.66, 170.02 and 181.84 CFA francs (T1), 170.76, 180.67 and 193.04 CFA francs (T2) and 160.71, 168.72 and 180.69 CFA francs (T3). The total invested was 358296.53 CFA francs (T0), 278625.28 CFA francs (T1), 327834.21 CFA francs (T2) and 269211.67 CFA francs (T3). The sale of livestock products was 551056.66 (T0), 297900 fcfa (T1), 485039.33 fcfa (T2) and 328898.66 fcfa (T3). The economic profitability of production was 1.53 (T0), 1.06 (T1), 1.47 (T2) and 1.22 (T3). The T3 and T2 feeds were the cheapest. The use of cashew meal in animal feed has improved the economic profitability of laying hen production in Côte d'Ivoire and generated significant profit margins.