Feeding value of Akasya (Samanea saman) pod meal in broilers

A 42-day feeding trial was conducted to determine the feeding value of Akasya(Samanea saman) pod meal (APM) in broilers.300 day-old Cobb straight-run broiler chicks were distributed to five dietary treatments containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 percent APM following a completely randomized design (CRD). APM had low digestibility and total tract metabolizability of nutrients especially on protein (10.27 and 1.55%, respectively), which is attributed to high fiber content and the negative effect of tannins on protein digestion. Total tract metabolizable energy of APM was 3,405.76 kcal/kg, with 79.25% digestibility in gross energy. Coefficient of digestibility of crude fiber (CF), and energy was not significantly affected by the inclusion of APM in broiler diets. Crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) significantly decreased when APM inclusion was higher than 1.0%.The different levels of APM in the diets did not significantly affect total tract metabolizable CP, CF, NFE and energy. Apparent metabolizable EE significantly decreased at 5.0% APM in the diet. Body weight and body weight gain of broilers were not significantly affected by the different levels of APM in the diets during starter and finisher stage but the overall feeding period showed significant reduction in the body weight and body weight gain when APM was added in the diet by more than 1.0%. Feed intake and feed efficiency of birds were not affected by APM.The different levels of APM in the broiler diets did not affect the livability rate.The dressing percentage (with and without giblets), retail cut yield, retail cut measurement and lean-fat-bone ratio of broilers were not affected by the addition of different levels of APM in the diets. Organoleptic characteristics of broilers were not affected by the addition of different levels of APM in the diets. Increased income over chick and feed cost (IOFCC) was generated from broilers fed diets with 0.5% APM, but progressively declined as APM level in the diet was increased. Akasya pod meal (APM) can therefore be used as feed ingredient in broiler diets at 1% without detrimental effects on growth performance and income generated was improved at 0.5% level of APM in the diet.