ASSESSMENT OF Parkia biglobosa LEAF MEAL AS A PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR SOYBEAN MEAL IN BROILER CHICKEN DIETS
2024
Animashahun, R.A. | Idowu, A. | Oluwafemi, P. | Odhe, P. | Edozie, N. | Animashahun, A.P. | Akintola, O. | Adegboye, O.
A six-week study was conducted to evaluate the potential of Parkia biglobosa leaf meal (PBLM) as a partial substitute for soybean meal in broiler chicken diets. A total of 120-day-old broiler chicks were allocated to four dietary treatments, each comprising 30 chicks, based on weight equalization. The study employed a completely randomized design with three replicates. Four diets were formulated, designated as diet 1 (0% PBLM - control), diet 2 (5% PBLM), diet 3 (10% PBLM), and diet 4 (15% PBLM). The growth performance parameters were significantly affected (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of PBLM, except for the feed conversion ratio, which remained unaffected. Across the treatment groups, body weight gain (from 903.40g to 112.83g) and feed intake (from 719.63g to 795.03g) decreased progressively. The haematological values did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among the treatment groups, although numerically higher were observed with increasing levels of PBLM in the diets. Liver function indicators were notably affected (P < 0.05) by the inclusion of leaf meal, showing improved values in chicks fed diets containing PBLM. With the exception of the 5% PBLM group, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels progressively decreased with increasing levels of PBLM in the diets, while the opposite trend was observed in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) values. The study suggests that PBLM can serve as an alternative protein source in broiler chicken diets, particularly at a low level of inclusion (5%), without compromising the performance and health of the birds.
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