Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-4rdpn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-17T11:11:31.575Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Feed intake, growth rate and some anatomical characteristics of broilers fed commercial diets supplemented with green feeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 December 2007

I. Etela ,
G.A. Kalio ,
A. Monsi  and
E.V. Ezieshi
I. Etela*
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, University of Port Harcourt, East-West Road, Choba, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
G.A. Kalio
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, Rivers State College of Education, Ndele, Nigeria.
A. Monsi
Affiliation:
Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
E.V. Ezieshi
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
*
*Corresponding author: i.etela@uniport.edu.ng or ibetela@yahoo.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A study was conducted on the Teaching and Research Farm of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria to evaluate the nutritional suitability of four treatments, namely a commercial type broiler diet as compared with the commercial diet supplemented with either fresh centrosema (Centrosema molle), pueraria (Pueraria phaseoloides), or waterleaf (Talinium triangulare) leaves. These diets were fed to 120 day-old chicks (Lohmann Brown) over a 62-day period with treatments arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Chemical composition of broiler basal diets differed significantly from the three green foliage supplements. Dry matter (DM) of leaf meals ranged from 97.8 to 227.0 g kg−1 which was significantly (P<0.05) lower than that of broiler basal diets which averaged 900 g kg−1. Crude protein (CP) of leaf meals, however, ranged from 182.0 to 244.0 g kg−1 which was generally higher than basal diets (130–153 g kg−1). Similarly, crude fiber (CF) was highest for centrosema and pueraria leaves (330–342 g kg−1) and lowest in basal diets (164–222 g kg−1). However, ether extract (EE) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were significantly higher in broiler basal diets. Broiler daily and total feed intake over 62 days were similar between treatments and the control, averaging 112 g d−1, while diets containing waterleaf were slightly (2.5%) lower. Total and daily bodyweight (BW) gains (2110 g and 34 g d−1) were also similar between treatments and the control, except that gains where the broiler diet was supplemented with centrosema foliage were 2.9% higher. A higher feed conversion ratio (FCR) and lower protein efficiency ratio (PER) for the diet supplemented with pueraria indicates a higher feed efficiency and better protein efficiency in the commercial control diet. Carcass characteristics with the commercial control diet included greater (P<0.05) intestinal length and gizzard and spleen weights than with green foliage supplements. However, broiler carcass weight was generally lowest (P<0.05) in the control group (64.3 g/100 g BW) and highest in the waterleaf group (71.3 g/100 g BW). Small differences in carcass weight among the treatments tested reduces the effectiveness of green feeds for practical and economic intensive broiler production. However, increased effectiveness of green feed supplementation for broiler production might likely be observed where broilers are managed on fenced rangelands planted to selected green feeds or in integrated systems where other livestock (rabbits, sheep, goats, etc.) are jointly reared. These results support the recommendation that leaf meals of green feeds should be incorporated into broiler diets in future studies.

Keywords

broilerscarcass yieldgreen feedsorgan characteristics
Type
Research Article
Information
Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems , Volume 22 , Issue 4 , December 2007 , pp. 241 - 245
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1 Iyayi, E.A. and Fayoyin, F.K. 2005. Effect of feeding cassava fruit coat meal on the nutrient digestibility and performance of broilers. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Available at Web site: http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd17/1/iyay17009.htm (verified 4 April 2005).Google Scholar
2 Teguia, A. and Beynen, A.C. 2005. Alternative feedstuffs for broilers in Cameroon. Livestock Research for Rural Development, Vol. 17, Art. No. 34. Available at Web site: http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd17/3/tegu17034.htm (verified 4 April 2005).Google Scholar
3 Williamson, G. and Payne, W.J.A. 1989. An Introduction to Animal Husbandry in the Tropics. 3rd ed.ELBS, Longman, Hong Kong.Google Scholar
4 AOAC. 1990. Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Official Methods of Analysis. 15th ed.Association of Official Analytical Chemists, Washington, DC.Google Scholar
5 Wahua, T.A.T. 1999. Applied Statistics for Scientific Studies. Africa-Link Books, Ibadan, Nigeria.Google Scholar
6 Lawal, A.O. and Sodeinde, B.V. 1999. Differences in proximate composition of some forage legumes at 6 and 12 weeks after cutting. In Joseph, J.K., Awosanya, B., Apata, D.F., Belewu, M.A., Atteh, J.O., and Ayorinde, K.L. (eds). Enhancing Livestock Production in Nigeria, Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), Kwara Hotels, Ilorin, 21–25 March 1999. NSAP, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria. p. 4–5.Google Scholar
7 Hamre, M.L. 1991. Alternative Animal Enterprises. Communication and Educational Technology Services, University of Minnesota Extension Service, Minnesota, USA.Google Scholar
8 Smith, A.J. 1990. The Tropical Agriculturist Series: Poultry. Macmillan/CTA (Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation), London. p. 90.Google Scholar
9 Kekeocha, C.C. 1998. A Textbook of Poultry Production in the Tropics. Sibon Books Limited, Ibadan, Nigeria. p. 61.Google Scholar
10 Oluyemi, J.A. and Roberts, F.A. 1988. Poultry Production in the Warm Climates. Low Cost Edition. Macmillan, London. p. 133–139, 189.Google Scholar
11 Awosanya, B. and Abikoye, O.O. 1998. Response of finishing broilers to dietary inclusion of Pueraria phaseoloides seed meal. In Oduguwa, O.O., Fanimo, A.O. and Osinowo, O.A. (eds). Animal Agriculture in West Africa: The Sustainability Question, Proceedings of the Silver Anniversary Conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) and the Inaugural Conference of the West African Society for Animal Production (WASAP), Gateway Hotel, Abeokuta, Nigeria, 21–26 March 1998. NSAP, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria. p. 212–213.Google Scholar
12 Eruvbetine, D., Aiyedun, M.O., and Kusimo, B.C. 1999. The effect of cassava–soya inclusion in the diet for broiler chickens. In Joseph, J.K., Awosanya, B., Apata, D.F., Belewu, M.A., Atteh, J.O., and Ayorinde, K.L. (eds). Enhancing Livestock Production in Nigeria, Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP), Kwara Hotels, Ilorin, 21–25 March 1999. NSAP, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria. p. 105–107.Google Scholar
13 Udedibie, A.B.I., Esonu, B.O., and Okah, U. 2002. Determination of the optimum dietary levels of cracked and cooked jackbean meal for finisher broilers. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 29:176–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14 Card, L.E. and Nesheim, M.C. 1975. Poultry Production, 11th ed.Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, NJ. p. 357.Google Scholar
15 Oyawoye, E.O. and Ogunkunle, M. 1998. Physiological and biochemical effects of raw jackbeans on broilers. In Oduguwa, O.O., Fanimo, A.O., and Osinowo, O.A. (eds). Animal Agriculture in West Africa: The Sustainability Question, Proceedings of the Silver Anniversary Conference of the Nigerian Society for Animal Production (NSAP) and the Inaugural Conference of the West African Society for Animal Production (WASAP), Gateway Hotel, Abeokuta, Nigeria, 21–26 March 1998. NSAP, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria. p. 141–142.Google Scholar
16 Ojewola, G.S. and Longe, O.G. 1999. Protein and energy in broiler starter diets: effects on growth performance and nutrient utilization. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 26:23–28.Google Scholar
17 Uchegbu, M.C., Okoli, I.C., Anyanwu, C.E., Etuk, E.B., Esonu, B.O., and Udedibie, A.B.I. 2004. Performance, carcass and organ characteristics of finisher broilers fed graded levels of raw Napoleonia imperalis seed meal. Livestock Research for Rural Development, Vol. 16, Art. No. 41. Available at Web site: http://www.cipav.org.co/lrrd/lrrd16/6/uche16041.htm (verified 4 April 2005).Google Scholar
18 Onibi, G.E., Owoyemi, A.P., and Akinyemi, O.O. 1999. Diets and dietary ingredients selection by broiler chicken: effects on growth performance, carcass quality and economics of production. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 26:35–42.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
19 Daghir, N.J. and Pellet, P.L. 1967. Influence of breed, age, and bodyweight on organ weight in the chicken. British Poultry Science 8:183–191.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20 Deaton, J.W., McNaughton, J.L., and Burdick, D. 1979. High fibre sunflower meal as a replacement for soyabean meal in layer diets. British Poultry Science 20:159–162.Google Scholar