Response of Broiler Birds to Varying Dietary Levels of Gongronema Latifolium Leaf Meal

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the response of broiler birds to varying dietary levels of Gongronema latifolium leaf meal (GLLM) as an antibacterial, vitamin and mineral feed additive. A total of 120 fourteen days old broiler birds (Anak strain) were used for the study. Gongronema latifolium was harvested fresh, air dried for 5 days under shade and milled to powder before incorporation in feed at the rate of 0g, 25g, 37.5g, 50g, 62.5g and 75g per 25 kg of feed, respectively to form 6 dietary treatments (T₁ – T₆). Birds were allotted to one of the six dietary treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two replications per treatment. Feed and water were given ad libitum to the birds during the experiment. Significant (P < 0.05) differences occurred among treatments in most of the traits studied. Broiler chicks fed 75g of GLLM per 25 kg of feed (3 g per kg) had significantly (P ? 0.05) higher final body weight (FBW) compared to the rest of the test groups but was similar to that of the control. Carcass weight, dressing percentage, weight of internal organs and relative organ weights differed significantly (P ? 0.05) among test groups. Effects on haematological indices were significant (P ? 0.05) but followed no definite trend except for WBC count which exhibited a dose related reduction in value (4800 x 10³/mm³ at 0g/25kg or control to 3150 x 10³/mm³ at 75g/25kg). It was concluded that up to 75g of GLLM can be incorporated per 25 kg of broiler starter and finisher diets (3 g/kg) as feed additive to enhance growth and well being. 

Keywords: Anak broiler, feed additive, feed conversion ratio, Gongronema latifolium, growth performance, haematological indices.