Effect of Albizia Julibrissin Leaf Meal on Growth performance of Broiler Chicken
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Transcript of Effect of Albizia Julibrissin Leaf Meal on Growth performance of Broiler Chicken
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CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The role of the poultry industry in improving the nutritional and economic status of Ghanaians
cannot be overemphasized. The industry has played greater roles in improving employment
opportunity and the provision of quality animal protein (Dazala et al., 2010).
Despite these potentials the industry is unable to provide adequate protein for the rapidly
increasing population due to the high cost of conventional feed resources. There is, therefore, the
need to seek out for locally available and cheaper feed ingredients that can be utilized by poultry
in Ghana.
An under-exploited plant with nutritional potentials as feedstuff is Albizia julibrissin leaves.
Albizia julibrissin is a small deciduous tree growing to 5–12 m tall, with a broad crown of level
or arching branches (Wang et al., 2006). The seeds are a source of oil and furthermore used as a
food for livestock and by wildlife, and the sweet-scented flowers are a good nectar source for
honeybees and butterflies (Wang et al., 2006; Lee et al., 2007). According to Luginbuhl et
al.(2001), the leaves of the plant gave a good result when fed to goats and had potentials as
protein and/or energy source for meat goats during the summer.
Report by Dei et al., (2012) also indicated the usefulness of the leaves as egg yolk colourant for
layer chicken. According to the report, the leaf meal of the plant has a proximate composition of
22.74% crude protein, 5.59% ether extract and 9.85% crude fibre.
There is lack of information on the nutritive value of the leaves for broiler chicken; hence the
need to determine the effect of the leaf meal on growth performance of broilers.
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1.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. To evaluate the effects of diets containing Albizia julibrissin leaf meal (AJLM) on growth
performance of broiler chicken at substitution levels of 0%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%.
2. To determine the effect on carcass characteristics of broiler chicken.
3. To assess the economics of feeding of Albizia julibrissin leaf meal to broilers.
3
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definition and examples of poultry
Poultry is defined as variety of domesticated birds which are raised for their meat and eggs
(Chiba, 2009). According to him, Poultry includes; Domestic chicken (Gallus domesticus),
Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), Rock pigeons (Columba livea), Red wattle guinea fowls (Numida
meleagris), Muscovy duck (Cairina moschata), Wild mallard (Anas boches), Turtle dove
(Streptopelia turtus), Greyleg goose (Anser anser), White footed goose(Anser albiformis), Ring
neck pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), North African ostrich (Struthio comelus) and South
African ostrich (Truthio australis) (Smith, 1990). Among these species chicken and guinea fowl
are reared in Ghana (Chiba, 2009).
Chickens are an important domestic fowl worldwide, especially for nutritious flesh as a source of
food (Taylor and Field, 1998). According to Tweneboah (2002), they are collectively the most
economic converters of locally available feed such as grains and grain by-products into high
quality sources of animal protein in the form of meat and table eggs .
2.2 Varieties of World poultry meat
Report by FAO (2010) indicated that poultry meat represents about 33% of global meat
production: in 2007, some 269 million tons of meat were produced globally, of which 88 million
tons were poultry meat. FAO (2010) added that chickens and turkeys are the most common
sources of poultry meat (87% and 6.7% of total poultry production, respectively). However, other
commercially available poultry meats include meat from ducks (4% of total poultry production)
and from geese, pigeons, quails, pheasants, ostriches and emus (combined about 2.7% of total
poultry production) (FAO, 2010).
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In the United States and Canada, turkey meat is the second most important poultry meat
consumed after chicken; however, in countries like Ghana, guinea fowl meat is second to
chicken.
Chicken accounts for about 86% of all poultry raised worldwide. In the European Union (EU),
chicken meat accounted for only 79% of all poultry meat produced in 2007, while turkey, duck,
pigeon, geese, guinea fowl and quail meat accounted for 15%.
Table 1: World poultry meat production by region (million metric tones)
Region 2000 2005 2008 2009 2010 2011
Asia-Pacific 23.3 27.3 31 32.3 35.7 36.5
North America 17.5 19.8 21.1 20.2 20.8 21.1
Latin America 12.5 16.1 20 20 21.1 21.7
Europe 11.9 13.1 14.3 15.6 16.4 16.9
Africa 3 3.6 3.8 3.9 4 4
World 68.2 79.9 90.3 94 98 100.2
(Source: USDA 2011)
From table 1, it could be realized that the highest poultry producing region was Asia-Pacific.
According to table 1 Asia-Pacific’s poultry production increased from 23.3tonnes to 36.5tonnes
from the year 2000 to 2011. Africa was the lowest producing region whose production was raised
from 3 tonnes to 4 tonnes from year 2000 to 2010 and maintained a standstill of 4 tonnes in year
2011.
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2.3 Benefits derived from the poultry sector
Poultry product provides food with high quality protein and low level of fat with desirable fatty
acid profiles (Costa, 2009; FAO, 2010). According to Pisulewski (2005), consumers of poultry
and fish products have no risk of cancers. Also, poultry products are highly nutritious, cheaper
and have no taboos forbidden their consumption (Farrell, 2010; Mengasha, 2011). Report by
FAO (2010) also indicated that they are good feed converters into poultry products. According to
FAO (2010), the poultry industry also is a means of foreign exchange for commercial producing
countries and higher incomes are also generated from the sales of poultry products.
2.4 Characteristics of poultry meat
Poultry or domestic birds are raised for their meat and eggs and are an important source of edible
animal protein. Poultry meat accounts for 30% of global meat consumption (FAO, 2009). The
worldwide average per capita consumption of poultry meat has nearly quadrupled since the
1960s (11 kg in 2003 compared with 3 kg in 1963). Poultry meat and eggs are highly nutritious.
The meat is rich in proteins and is a good source of phosphorus and other minerals, and of B-
complex vitamins (FAO, 2009). According to FAO (2009), poultry meat contains less fat than
most cuts of beef and pork. Poultry liver is especially rich in vitamin A (FAO, 2009). Report
from FAOSTAT (2009) also shows that poultry meat has a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty
acids than saturated fatty acids. This fatty acid ratio suggests that poultry may be a more
healthful alternative to red meat.
2.5 Challenges affecting the poultry sector
The main challenges facing the sector are partitioned into three categories which are
unfavourable environment, inadequate nutrition and diseased health conditions (Ross, 2009).
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Among these pressing challenges affecting the poultry production sector, feed availability
remains an important challenge in most developing countries such that there is a continued
scarcity and consequently high prices of the conventional protein and energy sources for
livestock in the tropics (Girma et al., 2011). This has stimulated a lot of interest in the search for
alternative sources of feeds called non-conventional feedstuff, particularly for non-ruminants like
poultry (Udedibie and Opara, 1998). 20
05 2008 2
2.4 Non-conventional feed resources (NCFR’S) in poultry
Non-conventional feed resources are those feeds that have not been traditionally used in animal
feeding and/or are not normally used in commercially produced rations for animals (Devendra,
1987). A large number of agro-industrial by-products, forest waste, aquatic herbages and animal
wastes which have been identified, processed and used for feeding of farm animals are
designated as a group of unconventional or non-conventional feeds. Examples include discarded
biscuits, bakery waste, rice bran, blood meal, corn cob, maize bran, cassava peel, cassava chips
and copra cake. Others are cocoa pod husk, coffee pulp, oil palm slurry, groundnut skins, pito-
mash, brewer’s spent grains, bone meal, molasses, sugar beet pulp, citrus pulp, yeast, wheat bran
and distillers solubles. Shrub leaves (Leaucaena spp, Caltiandra spp, Sesbinia spp, Albizia
julibrissin, etc), aquatic plants, fruits (palm oil fruit, papaya, guava, etc) and small animals
(snails, earthworms), etc can also be used in poultry feed formulations (Sonaiya, 1990). Table 2
shows chemical composition of some of the non-conventional feedstuffs.
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Table 2: Composition of some non-conventional feedstuffs
Feed stuff CP % EE
%
CF
%
Calculated Metabolizable
Energy (Kcal/kg dry matter)
Neem leaves
17.5 4.2 12.3 752
Amarath seeds 16.0 0.2 5.5 922
Soybean testa 16.6 4.0 25.4 2096
Cowpea testa 17.0 2.6 20.3 1005
Melon pulp 8.6 43 31.1 1148
Cassava fermented chaff 1.4 1.1 10.2 3436
Cassava peal meal 2.2 1.1 4.3 2460
Cassava meal sieving 0.8 1.5 9.0 1787
Maize cob and bloodmeal 28.9 ----- 19.5 ------
Yam meal sieving 3.5 1.0 5.0 2115
Yam peel meal 6.4 5.0 7.3 136
Plantain pulp 4.1 0.6 0.1 1004
Rice bran and blood meal 25.6 21.3 ------
Fish by-products 44.3 29.1 5055
Albizia julibrissin leaf meal* 22.74 5.59 9.85 -------
Source: Sonaiya (1990); *Dei et al.,(2012)
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2.5. LIMITATIONS OF NON-CONVENSIONAL FEED RESOURCES
2.5.1 Anti-nutritional factors (ANF’s)
These are substances generated in natural feedstuffs by the normal metabolism of species and by
different mechanisms which exert effect contrary to optimum nutrition (Cheeke and Shull, 1985).
Being an anti-nutritional factor is not an intrinsic characteristic of a compound but depends upon
the digestive process of the ingesting animal (Kumar, 1992).
According to Cheeke and Shull (1988), trypsin inhibitors are ANFs for monogastric animals but
do not exert adverse effects in ruminants because they are degraded in the rumen. ANFs limit the
utility of leaves, pods and edible twigs of shrubs. Report by Harborne(1989) clarifies that ANFs
seems to be a way of storing nutrients or means of defending their structure and reproductive
elements. ANFs which have been implicated in limiting the utilization of shrubs and tree forages
include non-protein amino acids, glycosides, phytohemagglutinins, polyphenolics, alkaloids,
triterpenoids and oxalic acids. Effects of some common anti-nutritional factors in feeds are
shown in table 3.
Table 3: Anti-nutritional factors in non-conventional feed materials and their effect.
Antinutritional factor Effect Plant species
Mimosine Poor growth, Alopaecia, Eye
cataracts and reproductive problems
Mimosa(Albizia julibrissin),
Leucena spp., etc.
Cyanogens Stops ATP formation, damage tissue
and causes death
Acacia spp, Manihot
esculenta, Bambusa bambos,
etc.
Saponins Growth retardation, reduce feed
intake, listlessness aneroxia, weight
Albizia stipulata, Albizia
julibrissin, Bassia lattifolia,
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loss, gastroenteritis etc.
Phytohemagglutinins Anorexia, lassitude and weakness Ricinus communis, Robinia
pseudoacacia, bauhinia
purpurea, etc.
Tannins Inhibits digestion, Poor nitrogen
retention, low apparent
metabolisable energy value
All vascular plants
Source: Kumar (1992); D’Mello and Acamovic (1989)
2.6 Albizia julibrissin
Plate 1: Albizia jullibrissin leaves
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Albizia julibrissin (Persian silk tree, pink silk tree, mimosa) is a species of tree in the family
Fabaceae, native to southwestern and eastern Asia. The tree is also widely distributed in Africa
including Ghana, tropical and subtropical America (Lee et al., 2007).These researchers received
literature on the plant as follows.
The genus is named after the Italian nobleman Filippo degli Albizzi, who introduced it to Europe
in the mid-18th century, and it is sometimes incorrectly spelled Albizzia. The specific epithet
julibrissin is a corruption of the Persian word gul-i abrisham which means "silk flower" a small
deciduous tree growing to 5–12 m tall, with a broad crown of level or arching branches. The bark
is dark greenish grey in colour and striped vertically as it gets older. The leaves are bipinnate,
20–45 cm long and 12–25 cm broad, divided into 6–12 pairs of pinnae, each with 20–30 pairs of
leaflets; the leaflets are oblong, 1–1.5 cm long and 2–4 mm broad. The flowers are produced
throughout the summer in dense inflorescences, the individual flowers with no petals but a tight
cluster of stamens 2–3 cm long, white or pink with a white base, looking like silky threads. They
have been observed to be attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. The fruit is a flat
brown pod 10–20 cm long and 2–2.5 cm broad, containing several seeds inside (Lee et al., 2007;
Kim et al., 2007). Report by Wang et al. (2006), indicated that the seeds are a source of oil and
furthermore they are used as food for livestock and wildlife. Similarly, the seeds of the tree
Albizia julibrissin have been shown to possess proteolytic enzymes which clotted milk readily,
without developing any bitterness in cheese after 3 months of ripening (Otani et al., 1991).
2.6.1 Medicinal uses of Albizia julibrissin
The bark and flowers of the Albizia julibrissin tree are used in China as medicine (Lau et al.,
2007). Bark extract is a sedative drug and an anti-inflammatory for treating swelling and pain of
the lungs, skin ulcers, wounds, bruises, abscesses, boils, hemorrhoids and fractures, and has
11
displayed cytotoxic activity (Higuchi et al., 1992; Ikeda et al., 1997; Pharmacopoeia, 2005).
Asians administered Albizia julibrissin bark extract to patients to treat insomnia, diuresis, and
confusion (Zhu, 1998). The flowers have been commonly used to treat anxiety, depression and
insomnia (Kang et al., 2007). Report by ZOU et al.(2000) also indicated that a Cytotoxic
Saponin with Two Monoterpenoids has been extracted from the dried powdered stem bark of the
plant.
2.6.2 Chemical composition of Albizia julibrissin leaf meal
Dei et al.(2012) reported that the leaf meal of Albizia Julibrissin contain high gross energy and
crude protein. According to them the leaves contain high fibre and high carotenoids as shown in
table 4.
Table 4: Proximate composition of Albizia julibrissin leaf meal
Components Amounts (%)
Moisture
Crude protein
Ether extract
Crude fibre
Ash
Total carotenoids
Gross energy (MJ/kg ME
10.40
22.74
5.59
9.85
7.50
0.09
18.6
Source: Dei et al., (2012)
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2.7 Effects of leaf meals on performance of poultry
2.7.1 Cassava (CLM) and leucena(LLM) leaf meals
Onibi et al.(1999) in their report showed that 30% soybean meal when replaced by cassava leaf
meal (CLM) in the diet of broiler chicken at the finisher stage resulted in higher final live weight,
average weight gain, average feed intake and lower feed conversion efficiency than birds fed
LLM-based diets. According to him birds fed control (SBM) performed better than both birds fed
CLM and LLM based diets. The depressed performance of birds fed leaf meal based diets was as
a result of adverse effect of amino acid imbalance in the LLM-based diets (Agbade and Olator,
2003). Depressed performance of bird fed leaf meal based diets could also be as a result of high
fibre in the diet of leaf meal based diets (Nwokolo et al., 2000). Antinutrition factors in leaf meal
based diets could also birth depressed performance in broiler chicken. According to Onibi et
al.(1999), yellow pigmentation of skin, beak and shank was high for birds fed leaf meal based
diet than those fed control diets. Agbede and Aletor (2003) reported increased yellow
pigmentation (due to $-carotene, precursor of vitamin A) of shanks of broiler chicks by dietary
incorporation of leaf meal protein concentrates. It is likely that meat from chickens fed the leaf
meals would contain more vitamin A since chickens are able to incorporate dietary components
into their muscles (Onibi et al., 1999).
2.7.2 Moringa oleifera leaf meal
Report by Bello et al.(2010) indicated that it is economical to include moringa leaf meal (MLM)
in the diets of indigenous chicken at the inclusion levels of 8 and 16% without causing any
adverse condition to the birds. According to them, MLM had no negative impact on live body
weight, average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass and organ characteristics.
13
Moreover, they also reported that it is also economically profitable to use MLM at the inclusion
levels of 8 and 16%.
2.8 Inference from literature review
Many developing countries including Ghana are making conscious effort to reduce the
importation of poultry feed ingredients due to their high cost and scarcity. The high cost and
scarcity of poultry feed stuff has prompted the evaluation and use of some shrubs such as Albizia
julibrissin leaf meal as broiler feed ingredient. Several writers have accepted the nutritional
values of different non-conventional feed sources that are used in some developing countries
including Ghana. Many of these leaves have been found to contain high protein (Odunsi et
al.,1996). Leucena leaf meal has been used successfully at an inclusion level of up to 5% in
poultry diets providing both protein and yellow colouration of the egg yolks as well as body fat
but the antinutritional factor ‘mimosine’ appears to be a potential restraining factor at the
inclusion level higher than 5% (Togun et al.,2006). Report by Dei et al., (2012) indicated that 2%
inclusion of Albizia julibrissin leaf meal in the diet of layers enhanced their yolk colour and
layimg performance. The 4% inclusion level has been found to be detrimental to the laying
performance of the birds (Dei et al., 2012).
Albizia julibrissin is a small deciduous tree growing to 5-12m tall, with a broad crown of level of
arching branches (Wang et al., 2000). Dei et al., (2012) reported that the leaf meal of the plant is
made up of crude protein 24.74, ether extract of 5.59 and crude fibre of 9.85 on dry matter basis.
The seeds of the plant are a source of oil and furthermore used as food for livestock and wild life
(Lee et al., 2007). Wang et al., 2007 also reported that the sweet scented flowers are a good
nectar source for honey bees and butter flies. A feeding trial conducted by Dei et al., (2012)
indicates that it can be included in the diet of laying chicken. However, there is lack of
14
information on the use of Albizia julibrissin as feed for broiler chicken. Hence the need for this
feeding trial.
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CHAPTER THREE
3.0. MATERIALS AND METHODS
3.1 Site and duration of Experiment
The experimental work of the current study was carried out at the Poultry Unit of the Animal
Science Department of the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala campus.
Nyankpala is within the Guinea Savanna zone and located on latitude 9.5°N. The zone is
characterized by a wide diurnal temperature variation during the dry season (November - April)
(SARI, 2011). The annual mean temperature is 28.8°C with average minimum and maximum
temperatures of 15°C and 35°C respectively during the coolest months (December-January). The
temperature rises to a minimum of 23°C and a maximum of 42°C in the hottest months
(February-May). The average annual rainfall is about 1060 mm (SARI, 2001). The project began
on the 24th December, 2012 and ended on the 28
th January, 2013. The experiment lasted for five
weeks (i.e. 3-8 weeks of age of broiler chickens).
3.2 Source and processing of Albizia julibrssin leaves for feeding
Albizia julibrssin leaves were harvested with their branches from the environs of Nyankpala
campus of the University for Development Studies. The branches with leaves were dried under
shade for five days while the leaves still retained their green colour. The dried leaves were then
separated from the branches by manual beating and the dried leaves were then milled into coarse
powder by use of corn mill to obtain the leaf meal (AJLM).
3.3 Experimental diet formulation
Table 5 and 6 shows the composition of the experimental diets. The Albizia julibrissin leaf meal
was not analyzed at the time of diet formulation due to lack of facilities. Hence the experimental
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diets were not formulated to be isocaloric or isonitrogenous. However the Albizia julibrissin leaf
meal was substituted for the control diet on weight by weight basis that nutrient composition of
the diet would vary greatly. The control(0%AJLM), 5%AJLM, 7.5%AJLM and 10%AJLM
represent the diets containing 0%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% Albizia julibrissin leaf meal respectively.
Table 5 Percentage composition of grower broiler diet (Control diet)
Ingredients Composition (%)
Maize
Wheat bran
Soybean meal
Fish meal
Oyster shell
Dicalcium (PO4)
Vitamin/Mineral premix*
Salt
60
10
15.9
11.4
1.3
0.8
0.4
0.2
Total 100
Calculated nutrient composition ------
Metabolisable energy (MJ/kg) 12.4
Crude protein 21.0
Calcium 1.2
Phosphorus 0.8
*Composition of vitamin/trace mineral/kg: vitamin A 8000000 IU, vitamin D3 1500000 IU,
vitamin E2500mg, vitamin K3 1000mg, vitamin B2 2000mg, vitamin B12 5mg, Folic acid
500mg, nicotinic acid 8000mg, Calcium pantholenate 2000mg, choline chloride 50000mg,
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magnesium 50000mg, Zinc 40000mg, copper 4500mg, Cobalt 100mg, Iodine 1000mg and
Selenium 100mg. Antioxidant: Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) 1000mg.
Table 6 Percentage composition of experimental diets
3.4 Experimental birds and housing
Five hundred day-old chicks (Cobb broilers from Israel) were purchased through a hatchery in
Kumasi. The chicks were brooded for three weeks before transferred to the experimental house
where they spent five weeks. Chicks at the brooder house were fed on starter mash compounded
using 25% concentrates, 55% maize (white maize), and 20% wheat bran all purchased from
Agricare Ltd Tamale-Ghana. Feeding and watering was done ad-libitum. The starter diet had a
crude protein (CP) level of 23.8kg and metabolisable energy ME of 12.6MJ/kg. The initial
temperature was 33°C and gradually reduced to 29°C at the end of the brooding. At the end of
the third week of brooding, one hundred and twenty birds were selected and randomly divided
into twelve (12) groups of ten (10) birds with male to female ratio of 1:1 in each pen. The mean
initial live weight of a bird per replicate was 420g. Anti-biotic(Doxycol) at 5g/10L of water (2-4
days old), Gumboro vaccine 5ml/500 birds (7 days old), Coccidiostats at 5d/10L of water (2-4
days and 18-20 days old) and HBI vaccine at 5ml/500 birds (14days old) were administered
Dietary treatments
(0%AJLM) 5%AJLM 7.5%AJLM 10%AJLM
100kg of
control diet
95kg of control diet
+
5kg of AJLM
92.5kg of control diet
+
7.5kg of AJLM
90kg of control diet
+
10kg of AJLM
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orally during brooding. Four dietary treatments (0, 5, 7.5 and 10%AJLM) were tested and each
treatment replicated three times in a completely randomized design with each replicate group
assigned to one dietary treatment.
3.4. Design of experiment
One hundred and twenty birds were selected and randomly divided into twelve (12) groups of ten
(10) birds with male to female ratio of 5:5 in each pen
One hundred and twenty broiler chickens (Cobb) at three (3) weeks of age were selected and
randomly divided into twelve (12) groups with ten (10) birds with male to female ratio of 5:5 in
each deep litter pen. The birds were given feed and water ad libitum. Light was also provided for
24 hours using the energy saving bulb of 18watt.
3.5 Data collection
Parameters measured were feed intake, live weight gain, final live weight, gain/feed ratio,
mortality, carcass dressed weight, dressing percentage and feed cost/kg gain.
3.5.1 Feed Intake
There was a weekly measurement of feed consumption. A digital scale (JADEVER JSP-1050)
was used in taking the weight of feed. Feed intake was estimated by subtracting the feed left in
the feeding trough at the end of the week from the total feed provided for the week. The feed
intake of birds in each pen was divided by the number of birds in a replicate and the number of
days in a week to obtain the mean feed intake per bird per day.
19
3.5.2 Weight gain
With the assistance of JADEVER JSP-1050 weighing scale, the birds in the experimental pen
were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and subsequently at the end of every week. Ten
birds were weighed in a batch and the weight divided by the number of birds in each replicate to
get the mean live weight per bird. The initial mean live weight per bird was subtracted from the
mean live weight per bird at the end of the week and the weight divided by the number of days in
the week to obtain the mean live weight per bird per day.
3.5.3 Feed conversion efficiency
Feed conversion efficiency (quantity of feed required for one kilogram of gain) was calculated as
weight gain in kilograms divided by the weight of feed consumed in kilograms during the
experimental period.
3.5.4 Final live weight
This is the weight of bird before slaughter.
3.5.5 Mortality
This was done by recording deaths that occur in any of the replicates in the course of the
experiment.
3.5.6 Carcass Characteristics
This was done by choosing two birds (male and female) at random from each replicate for
carcass evaluation. The parameter measured were live weight, dressed carcass weight and carcass
dressing percentage (this were measured in kilogram (kg) using the top loading electronic digital
Jadever scale.
3.5.6.1 Carcass dressed weight
This was the weight of carcass after the head and viscera had been removed.
20
3.5.6.2 Carcass dressed percentage
This was calculated as = Eviscerated carcass x 100
Live weight
3.5.7 Total feed cost
The quantity of each ingredient used to formulate a 100kg diet was multiplied by their unit prices
to give the cost of 100kg diet. The result was the divided 100 to get the unit cost of each
ingredient. The feed cost per bird was also gotten by multiplying the unit cost of the diet by the
total feed consumed per bird.
3.5.8 Statistical analysis
Data collected were analyzed by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Genstat (4th
edition).
21
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN
Table 7 shows the effects of AJLM on the growth performance of broiler chicken.
Table 7: Effect of AJLM on growth performance of broiler chicken (3-8 weeks of age)
Parameters Control 5%AJLM 7.5%AJLM 10%AJLM ±SED P-Value
Mean Feed
intake(g/b/d)
119.1a 107.7
b 103.8
b 102.7
b 3.97 0.012
Mean Weight
gain (g/b/d)
44.7a
40.7ab
34.2b 27.4
b 4.43 0.021
Mean Gain/feed
ratio
0.38a
0.38a 0.33
ab 0.27
b 0.036 0.048
Mean Final live
weight (Kg/b)
1.98a
1.85ab
1.62b 1.38
b 0.156 0.021
Mortality (%) 0.00 0.7 1.3 0.7 0.408 0.067
SED – Standard Error of Difference P- Probability
Means with different superscript letters are significantly different (P<0.05)
4.1.1 MEAN FEED INTAKE
There was significant (P<0.05) difference in feed intake between birds fed control and those fed
AJLM-based diets (Table 7). However, there was no significant (P<0.05) difference in feed
intake among birds fed AJLM-based diets (Table 7). Result in table 7 showed that, feed intake
generally decreased at increased inclusion level of AJLM in the diets.
22
Generally, there were no difference in feed intake at week four (4) and Five (5) between birds fed
control diets and those fed AJLM-based diets (fig. 1). According to fig. 1, there were differences
in feed intake between birds fed control diet and those fed AJLM-base diets. There were no
differences in feed intake among bird fed AJLM-based diets. There were also no differences in
feed intake between birds fed control and those fed 5%AJLM-based diets (fig.1).
Report by fig. 1 also indicated that there were no differences between birds fed control and those
fed AJLM-based diets at week 7 and 8. There were also no differences in feed intake among
birds fed AJLM-based diets (fig.1).
Based on table 7, the decreased in feed intake might be attributed to the odour of the AJLM-
based diets. It could also be as a result of high fibre nature of AJLM-based diets. According to
Teguia and Beynen (2005), high fibre levels in poultry diets leads to poor digestibility of the
diets which also leads to decreased feed intake. Igwebuike et al.(2010) in a report confirms that
anti-nutritional factors may inhibit utilization of certain essential nutrients and also decrease feed
intake of the birds consequently affecting growth. According to Fleury(2004), anti-nutritional
factors are known to bind to nutrients and enzymes of digestion thus reducing the release of
nutrients and consequently reducing efficiency which intends results in decreased feed intake.
This also agrees with the report by Ash et al. (1992) who observed that leaf meals from Sesbania
sesban and Sesbania grandiflora depressed feed utilization efficiency in chickens.
23
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Week4 Week5 Week6 Week7 Week8
Mea
n F
eed
inta
ke(g
/b/d
)
Age(Week)
Control
5AJLM
7.5AJLM
10AJLM
Fig. 1 Effect of albizia julibrissin leaf meal on mean feed intake of broiler chicken (3-8
weeks of age)
24
4.1.2 MEAN WEIGHT GAIN
There was significant (P<0.05) difference in weight gain between birds fed control and those fed
AJLM-based diets (table 7). There was also significant (P<0.05) difference in weight gain among
birds fed AJLM-based diets. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) in weight gain between
birds fed control and those fed 5%AJLM-based diets. Generally, there were differences in weight
gain between birds fed control diets and those fed AJLM-based diets (fig.2).
The decreased weight gain at higher inclusion levels of AJLM in the diets could be as a result of
mimosine and high crude fibre in diets containing AJLM. Fleury (2004) reported that anti-
nutritional factors are known to bind nutrients and enzymes of digestion thus reducing the release
of nutrients which adversely affects weight gain. High fibre of the diets also leads to poor
digestibility of the diets which adversely affects weight gain (Teguia and Beynen, 2005).
Nwokolo et al. (1985) also reported that increased level of dietary fibres could impair dietary
nutrient utilization and might adversely affect weight gain.
25
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
W4 W5 W6 W7 W8
Mea
n w
eigh
t ga
in(g
/b/d
)
Age(weeks)
Control
5.0%
7.5%
10%
Fig. 2 Effect of Albizia julibrissin leaf meal on mean weight gain of broiler chicken (3-8
weeks of age)
26
4.1.3 GAIN/FEED RATIO
There was significant (P<0.05) difference in gain/feed ratio between birds fed control and those
fed AJLM-based diets (Table 7). There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in gain/feed ratio
between birds fed control and those fed 5%AJLM based diets. However, there was significant
(P<0.05) difference in gain/feed ratio among birds fed AJLM-based diets. There was no
significant (P>0.05) difference between birds fed 7.5% and 10% AJLM-based diets.
There were differences in gain/feed ratio between birds fed control and those fed AJLM-based
diets at week 4, 6 and 8 (fig.3). There was no difference in gain/feed ratio between birds fed
control diets and those fed AJLM-based diets at week 5 and 7. Gain/feed ratio generally
decreased at higher inclusion levels of AJLM in the diets above 5%. The decreased in gain feed
ratio at higher inclusion levels could be attributed to the presence of mimosime in the diets.
According to Dazala et al.(2010), concentration of anti-nutritional factors like mimosine
increased at higher levels of dietary inclusion of leaf meal hence the adverse effect on gain/feed
ratio. According to Fleury(2004) anti-nutritional factors are known to bind to nutrients and
enzymes of digestion thus reducing the release of nutrients and adversely affecting gain/feed
ratio.
27
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8
Gai
n/F
eed
rati
o
Age
Control
5AJLM
7.5AJLM
10AJLM
Fig. 3 Effect of Albizia julibrissin leaf meal on mean gain/feed ratio of broiler chicken (3-8
weeks of age)
28
4.1.4 MEAN FINAL LIVE WEIGHT
There was significant (P<0.05) difference in final live weight between birds fed control and those
fed AJLM-based diets (table 7). There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in final live weight
between birds fed control and those fed 5%AJLM-based diets. However, there was no significant
(P>0.05) difference in final live weight among birds fed AJLM-based diets. Generally, final live
weight decreased as inclusion level of AJLM increased in the diets. The decreased in final live
weight at increased inclusion level of AJLM in the diets could be due to the adverse effect of
mimosine which increased in concentration at higher inclusion levels and results in decreased
weight gain and final live weight (Fleury, 2004).
4.1.5 MORTALITY
Result from table 7 shows that there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in deaths between
birds that fed on control diets and those fed AJLM-based diets. There were eight deaths recorded.
Post-mortem examination of the dead birds during the experiment showed bacterial infection.
This was rectified by administering antibiotics to all birds for 3 days.
4.2 CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS
Table 8 shows the carcass parameters of broiler chicken (3-8 weeks) fed AJLM-based diets..
Table: 8 Effect of AJLM on carcass characteristics of broiler chicken (3-8 weeks of age)
Parameters Control 5%AJLM 7.5%AJLM 10%AJLM ±SED P-Value
Dressed weight
(kg/b)
1.76a
1.40ab
1.26b
1.27b
0.158 0.042
Dressing (%) 77.4 75.8 69.9 76.8 6.99 0.697
29
SED – Standard Error of Difference P- Probability
Means with different superscript letters are significantly different (P<0.05)
4.2.1 CARCASS DRESSING WEIGHT
There was significant (P<0.05) difference in carcass dressing weight between birds fed the
control diet and those fed with the AJLM-diets (table 8). However, there was no significant
(P>0.05) difference between birds fed the control diets and 5%AJLM group. There was also no
significant (P>0.05) in carcass dressing weight among birds fed AJLM-based diets.
The decreased dressed weight at increased inclusion level could be as a result of mimosine which
increased in the diets at higher inclusion levels of AJLM in the diets. Report by Dazala et
al.(2010) indicates that the concentration of anti-nutritional factors increased at higher inclusion
levels of non-conventional feedstuffs in the diet which resulted in decreased weight gain and
final live weight and might also lead to decreased carcass dressing weight.
4.2.2 CARCASS DRESSING PERCENTAGE
There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in carcass dressing percentage between birds fed
the control diet and their counterparts fed the AJLM-based diets (table 8). However, the highest
carcass dressing percentage was recorded in birds that fed control diet followed by 10%AJLM,
5%AJLM and 7.5%AJLM. The decrease in dressing percentage at an increased inclusion level of
AJLM in the diets from control to 7.5%AJLM could be due to the effect of fibre and mimosine
which increased in the diets at higher levels of AJLM in the diets. According to Teguia and
Beynen (2005), high fibre leads to poor digestibility of the diets which adversely affects weight
gain and might also affect carcass dressing percentage. Reports by Fleury(2004) indicated that
anti-nutritional factors are known to bind to nutrients and enzymes of digestion thus reducing the
30
release of nutrients and adversely affecting weight gain and might also affect carcass dressing
percentage.
4.3 ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION (COST ANALYSIS)
Table 7 shows the effects of AJLM on the economic parameters of broiler chicken.
Table: 9 Effect of AJLM on economics of production of broiler chicken (3-8 weeks of age)
Parameters Control 5%AJL
M
7.5%AJLM 10%AJL
M
±SED P-Value
Total feed
intake(kg/b)
4.17a
3.77b
3.63b 3.60
b 0.139 0.012
Feed cost/kg
diet(Gh¢.)
1.11 1.06 1.04 1.01 ------ ------
Total feed cost/bird
(Gh¢.)
4.63a
4.00b
3.78b
3.64b
0.149 < 0.001
Feed cost/kg gain
(Gh¢.)
2.98 2.87 3.21 3.79 0.305 0.064
SED – Standard Error of Difference P- Probability
Means with different superscript letters are significantly different (P<0.05)
The cost analysis of control diets and AJLM-based diets in broiler chicken production is
presented in table 9.
The results in table 9 indicates that there was no significant (P>0.05) difference in total feed
intake/bird between birds fed control and those fed AJLM-based diets. However, there was
31
significant(P<0.05) difference between birds fed control and those fed AJLM-based diets for
cost analysis such as total feed intake(kg/b) and total feed cost(Gh¢.).There was no significant
(P>0.05) in total feed cost/bird among birds fed AJLM-based diets. Feed intake/bird decreased as
inclusion level increased in the diets (table 9). There was no significant (P>0.05) difference in
feed cost/kg gain between birds fed control and those fed AJLM –based diets (table 9).
The high cost of feed/bird recorded in the control was due to non-inclusion of AJLM while
subsequent treatments with increasing levels of AJLM decreased in cost. The cost analysis
indicated that the use of AJLM was cost effective and profitable at 5% inclusion of AJLM in the
diets. This was in agreement with the report by Rhule et al., (2007), that non-conventional
feedstuffs often reduced feed cost. This confirms that there is better economic gain by feeding
AJLM to broilers since it has the potential of reducing the feeding cost of broilers.
4.4 OTHER OBSERVATION(S)
Plate 2. Yellow skin pigmentation of birds fed AJLM-based diets
32
The yellow colouration of the shank, beak and skin observed on birds that fed on AJLM-diets in
the course of experimentation is a confirmation to Dei et al.(2012) report that AJLM has a high
content of carotenoids.
The yellow colouration of the skin in birds that fed on AJLM-based diets would tend to meet all
the vitamin A dietary requirements of it consumers than birds having pale skin (Onibi et al.,
1999). According to Dei et al.(2012), the yellow pigment of egg yolk increased as AJLM
increased in the diet of layer chicken. While the AJLM-diets results in yellow colouration of the
shank, beak and skin of birds that fed on it, that of the control diet was pale. The pale colour of
the shank, beak and skin of birds that fed on the control diet was as a result carotenoids
deficiency in control diets. The lack of trend in skin pigmentation in relation to dietary treatments
is a pointer to the fact that shank, beak and skin pigmentation are a better indicator of intensity of
pigmentation in chickens (Onibi et al., 1999). It is likely that meat from chickens that fed the leaf
meals would contain more vitamin A since chickens are able to incorporate dietary components
into their muscles (Onibi et al., 1999). Birds with yellow skin pigments tended to be more
attractive and will therefore be more preferred by consumers than those with pale skin.
Attractiveness and high preference of birds by consumers will also result in high marketability.
33
CHAPTER FIVE
5.0. Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1. Conclusion
It was clear from the result obtained that AJLM can be used in broiler chicken ration up to 5%
level without adverse effect on performance. AJLM should not be used above 5% inclusion level.
It also has the potential of reducing the feeding cost of broilers.
5.2. Recommendation
Farmers should use AJLM for broiler birds.
It is economical to use 5%AJLM in broiler diet formulation.
34
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