Response of broiler chickens to diets containing varying levels of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leafmeal
Response of broiler chickens to diets containing varying levels of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leafmeal
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Date
2012
Authors
Kwabla Zanu, Holy
Mustapha, M.
Addo Nartey, M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Online Journal of Animal and Feed Research
Abstract
: A six-week experiment was conducted to assess the response of Cobb broiler chicks to
diets containing varying levels (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) of Leucaena leaf meal (LLM). The 4 dietary
treatments were allotted to the birds in a completely randomized design. Each treatment consisted
of three replicates, with fifteen birds per each replicate. The birds were fed experimental starter diets
(14-28 d) and finisher diets (28-56 d). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Final weight, growth
rate and feed conversion ratio significantly (P<0.05) declined as the level of LLM in the diets
increased. Dressed and carcass weights also reduced significantly (P<0.05) with increasing level of
LLM in the diets. All organ characteristics except liver kidney were significantly (P<0.05) affected by
dietary treatments. Haematological variables were also not affected (P<0.05). The total cholesterol
and Low Density Lipoprotein of serum decreased (P<0.05) when LLM was included to the diets. Feed
cost reduced when LLM was incorporated in the diets, but the net revenue declined as LLM in diet
increased. In this study inclusion of LLM in diets for broiler chickens did not affect their health status,
but rather depressed their growth.
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Citation
Zanu, H. K., Mustapha, M., & Addo Nartey, M. (2012). Response of broiler chickens to diets containing varying levels of Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leaf meal. Online J. Anim. Feed Res, 2(2), 108-112.