ABSTRACT

There is a need to identify local and natural sources of broiler chicken premix in order to meet the growing demand for quality animal protein in the developing world. To this end, the response of broiler chickens fed leaf meal composite as a replacement for vitamin-mineral premix was investigated. The leaf meal composite (LMC) encompassed four locally available leafy vegetables: Fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), Moringa, (Moringa oleifera), Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and African basil (Ocimum gratissimum). Growth performance, carcass characteristics, internal organ proportions, haematological indices, serum biochemical indices and feed cost benefit were considered. Six experimental diets were formulated in which the LMC inclusion level was at 0.00 (0.25% premix), 0.125 (0.125% premix), 0.25 (0.0% premix), 0.50 (0.0% premix), 0.75 (0.0% premix) and 1.00% (0.0% premix) at the expense of commercial premix and designated diets 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively. 180 unsexed arbor acer strain broiler chickens were randomly assigned to these 6 dietary treatments which had 30 birds each. The treatments were replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Birds were fed these diets from day one; feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experiment which lasted for 56 days. For growth performance, exception of initial body weight, other parameters were significantly (p˂0.05) different at the starter phase. T1 had the best final body weight, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio, followed by T2. However, birds fed diet 6 had the highest value for feed intake at both phases. For haematological indices at the starter phase, significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in the mean values of all parameters across all dietary treatments except PCV and MCV. Although significant differences were observed in all haematological and serum biochemical indices for the finisher phase, the values did not reveal any health problem. The cut parts (thigh and wings) as well as organ (liver, kidney, caeca, spleen and gall bladder) weights differed significantly (p<0.05). However, there was reduction in abdominal fat of birds fed test diets. Birds fed control diet for the starter phase had the highest revenue and gross margin which was closely followed by birds fed diet 6. Birds fed diet 3 recorded the lowest values. The cost per Kg of diet for the finisher phase was least in T6 diet and highest in T1 diet. The cost of production increased as the level of the composite leaf meal inclusion increased. In addition, birds fed diet 3 and 6 recorded the highest numerical values for revenue and gross margin. The study showed that the LMC has considerable potential as components of broiler chickens diets in developing countries. Inclusion of leaf meal at 1.00% can successfully be used to replace vitamin-mineral premix in finisher diet. However, 0.25% inclusion is recommended only for the finisher phase. Further research should be carried out on the levels higher than 1.00% and the optimal level of inclusion to mitigate potential adverse effects on growth performance.