Growth Performance, Biochemical Indices and Linear Body Measurement of Finisher Broiler Chickens Fed Varying Levels of Gongronema latifolium Leaf Meal
C. O. Osita
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
U. C. Emezie
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
J. E. Ubi
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
F. U. Ude
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
N. W. Anizoba
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
M. C. Ogwuegbu
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
M. O. Onodugo
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
C. C. Nwoga
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
C. Ezenwosu *
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
A. E. Onyimonyi
Department of Animal Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Growth performance, biochemical indices and linear body measurement of finisher broiler chickens fed varying levels of Gongronema latifolium leaf meal (GLLM) were investigated. A total of hundred and twelve (112) Anak broiler strains of mixed sex were used for the study. The birds after brooding them together for 4 weeks were weighed and randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) in a completely randomized experimental design with twenty eight (28) birds per treatment. Each treatment was replicated four times with seven (7) birds per replicate. Inclusion levels of GLLM in the feed were as followsːT1 (control) = 0 % GLLM, T2 = 0.5% GLLM, T3 = 1% GLLM and T4 = 1.5 % GLLM. Results showed significant (P<0.05) differences in the mean values for average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) among the treatments. Moreover, there were significant (P<0.05) differences in the mean values for the body length and breast girth among the treatments. Biochemical analysis also showed significant (P<0.05) differences in the mean values for potassium and total protein content. In conclusion, birds on GLLM had better growth performance than the control groups and the better performance of birds on GLLM compared with the control suggests that GLLM can be used in broiler production.
Keywords: Relatives of Isoetes pantii, Gongronema latifolium, spiny spores in lycophyta New species of lsoetes, broiler birds, anak strain, biochemical indices, chicken, leaf meal