ABSTRACT

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler chicken fed dietary

soyabean meai repiaced with veivet bean (ii'iucuna s/oanel) at graded ieveis. Seven treatments

were used for the research work in which velvet bean meal replaced soya bean meal at 0, 10, 20,

30, 40 50, and 60 percent levels respectively. One hundred and forty seven (147) day old Clii

broiler chick was used for the study. The birds was weighed individually and randomly allotted

to each treatment. Each treatment consists of three replicates with seven birds per replicate in

completely randomized design. The study lasted for 8 weeks during which water and feed were

given to the birds ad libitum. Parameters of response measured include growth performance,

caecass characteristics, organ proportion, economics of production, haematology, serume

chemistry and meat nutrient composition. Data collected were analyzed using ANOVA.The

result obtained in this study showed final body weight of broilers fed diet 1 (1013.33g), diet 2

(1028.89g), and diet 3 (987.78g) were significantly (P<z0.05) higher than broilers fed diet 4

(73L11g), diet 5 (794A4g) and diet 6 (794.44g) while the least final body weight was recorded

by birds fed diet 7 (721.43g). The average daily weight gain of broilers fed diet 1 (17.38), diet 2

(17.66g), and diet 3 (16.93g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher followed by broilers fed diet 5

(13.47g) and diet 6 (13.47g) while broilers fed diet 4 (12.34g) and diet 7 (12.17g) had the least

average daily weight gain. Also, the average daily feed intake of broilers fed diet 1 (62.30g), diet

2 (61.85g), and diet 3 (62.28g) were significantly (P<0.05) higher followed by broilers fed diet 5

(47.11g) and diet 7 (48.30g). The FCR obtained in this study showed broilers fed diet 7 (3.97)

vas significantly (P<0.05) higher followed by broilers fed diet 1 (3.59), diet 3 (3.68) and diet 4

(3.64) while the FCR of birds fed diet 2 (3.50), diet 5 (3.51) and diet 6 (3.26) had the least

values. This means that birds on diets 2, 5 and 6 were better utilized by the birds for weight gain

than birds on other treatment diets. The carcass characteristics showed that the live weight of

broilers fed diet 1 (1 100.Oog), diet 2 (1200.Oog), and diet 3 (1200.00g) were significantly

(P<0.05) higher, the dressed weight of broilers fed diet 2 (1133.33g) was significantly (P<0.05)

higher, the dressing percentage of broilers fed diet 3 (66.67%) and diet 7 (66.67%) were

significantly (P<0.05) higher, the breast cut of broilers fed diet 4 (33.91%) and diet 7 (31.00%)

were significantly (p<O.05) higher while the back cut of broilers fed diet 3 (23.71%) and diet 5

(24.97%) was significantly (p<O.05) higher than other treatment diets. There was significant

differences (P<0.05) in the haemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean

corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) while there

was no significant differences (P>0.05) in the packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC)

and white blood cell (WBC) recorded across the treatment diets. There was significant

differences (P<0.05) in the total protein and glucose while there was no significant differences

(P>0.05) in the albumin, globulin, creatinine and cholesterol among the treatment groups. This

implies that the experimental diets had little or no statistical effect on the parameters. From the

study, it could be concluded that the blood quality of broiler chickens fed treatment diets

containing velvet bean meal were favorably comparable to that of control diet 1. Therefore,

velvet bean meal can be used to replace soyabean meal in the diet of broilers without any adverse

haematological and serum biochemistry effect. The better performance of birds fed diet 2 and 3

which were comparable to the control diet tends to suggest that up to 20% velvet bean meal can

be used to replace soyabean meal in broiler diets for normal efficient utilization of feed by birds.

Therefore, birds fed diet 2 (10% replacement) and 3 (20% replacement) had higher live weight

and dressed weight which were comparable to birds fed control diet (0% replacement).

Incorporation of velvet bean meal as replacement for soyabean meal up to 20% inclusion level

enhanced performance and improved carcass yield and organ proportions of broiler chickens,

therefore recommended for good productivity of broilers, but the best replacement level of

soyabean meal with velvet bean meal is 20%.

exploitation of the under-utilized unconventional feedstuffs particularly those indigenous to the

tropics (Akinmutimi et aL, 2006). One of the underutilized legumes that come to mind is

Iviucuna sloanel.

Mzicuna sloanei belongs to the legume family Fabaceace originated from Asia and introduced

into the western hemisphere through Mauritus (Nkpa, 2004). In Nigeria, Mucuna Sloanei is

called "Ukpo" (okobo) by Igbos; "karasuu" by Hausas and "Yerepe" by Yorubas (Adewale, K.O.

and Mozie O.S, 2010). The seed is commonly used in Igbo speaking communities of Nigeria as a

soup thickener (Ezueh, 1997). The chemical composition of Mucuna sloanci was found to

contain Crude protein 20.00-25.4%, crude fiber 25.00-27.4%, Nitrogen free extracts 43.54 -

9.00%, and Ether extracts 5.05-7.0%, Ash 70.00-1 1.09%. It is also rich in phosphorus and

appreciable amount of Iron and calcium (Akpata, and Miachi, 2011). Thus, comparative analysis

of performance of broiler chickens on diet with soyabean meal replaced with Mucuna sloanei at

graded levels becomes important for broiler production.