Browse plants is one of the cheapest sources of feed for ruminants and other farm animals. The leaf of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa), a tree belonging to the family leguminoceae was studied. The Locust bean foliage (LBF) was evaluated for the proximate and antinutritional factors. The proximate analysis showed that LBF had high crude protein (16.23%), dry matter DM (90.05%), crude fibre CF (21.36%), low fats (0.68%), ash (6.11) and soluble carbohydrate (55.62%). Anti–nutrients contents included oxalates (4.02 mg/100g), phytate (0.06 mg/100g), trypsin (0.44g/100g), saponin (2.80 mg/100g), cyanide (1.60 mg/100g), tannin (24.15 mg/100g) and alkaloid (6.70 mg/100g). The values obtained for the proximate composition may be an indication that LBF is a promising browse plants which could be fed to the grazing animals during the dry season, when fresh forages are scarce.
The progressive increase in the cost and scarcity of conventional feedstuffs, especially energy and protein sources has resulted into a continuous effort in researching into the possible utilization of the under - exploited wild legumes in poultry feed formulation. Several Researchers had reported on the utilization of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in poultry diets whereas; few reports exist on the utilization of Moringa seed. Therefore, this study wasconducted to evaluate the effect of graded dietary levels of moringa seed cake (MSC) on the performance of broiler chickens. A total of 195, one day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly assigned into five dietary treatments of moringa seed cake, each treatment having three replicates in a completely randomized design. MSC was included at levels of 0, 5,10, 15 and 20% respectively. Feed and water were given ad- libitum. Proximate composition ofMSC showed that it is high in energy, crude protein and ether extract with3304. 39 ME kcals/ kg, 32.49 % and 17.70%, respectively. Birds fed 5% MSC diet were better than the birds on the other levels of MSC diets in terms of growth and carcass characteristics. The results obtained from growth study revealed a significant declined in, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio as the inclusion levels of MSC increased beyond 5% in thediets. The birds on control diet had the best result in terms of final weight , daily weight gain and daily feed intake of 2974g/bird, 52.4g/bird / day and 107.51g/bird/ day respectively followed by those fed diet containing 5% MSC with 2183.4g/bird, 38.24/bird /day and 95.66g/bird /day respectively. whereas, the birds fed 20% MSC had the least (P>0.05) final weight, daily weight gain and daily feed intake of 560 g/bird, 9.26g/bird /day and 33.51g/bird/day respectively. Carcass characteristics followed similar trend as the growth parameters. Hematological indices showed significant differences across the dietary treatments, however, the results were within the normal range except for the white blood cell. It can therefore be, concluded that the inclusion of MSC in broiler chicken diet should not exceed 5% for optimum growth and general performance.
An experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Biostrong® 510 15% (BSG) inbroiler chickens diet. It was included at 0 g, 75 g, 100 g and 125 g/100 Kg diet, for T1-T4respectively while T5 had Oxytetracycline. Data was collected on growth performanceindices, haematological parameters, liver function indices, kidney function, blood mineralprofile, immune response, antioxidant capacity, villi morphometrics, lipid profile, ileum andceacum microbial contents, carcass quality parameters, and tibia bone quality indices. Alldata collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences amongtreatment means were compared using the Tukey test of significance. Growth erformance showed that broilers fed diet containing 100g BSG had optimum performance among other levels. Haematological and liver function indices were not significantly (P>0.05) different. Birds fed BSG showed decreased cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein compared to the control treatment. Birds fed levels of BSG and AGP had significantly higher bone weight, bone density, bone dry matter and bone ash as compared to birds on the control group. All carcass evaluation parameters were significantly (P<0.05) different among treatments except for dressed weight, breast and kidney. Levels of BSG in the diet significantly lowered the cost of production than AGPs of finisher broilers improved liver health, bone strength, villi characteristics, increased beneficial bacteria population and also prevent the colonization of the gut by pathogenic bacteria thus improving the health of the birds. Biostrong® 510 15%, can therefore effectively replace antibiotic growth promoters in broiler chicken production.
This study was conducted in the Animal Science Departmental farm to compare the growth performance of broiler chickens reared on three on-form feeds and three commercial feeds. Broilers were fed the six types of feed during the starter phase between 0-5 weeks of age and during the finisher phase between 5-9weeks. Results showed that although one of the commercial feeds outperformed all other feeds in terms of weight gain and feed efficiency; the overall growth performance on on-farm feeds were comparable to those on commercial feeds even where one of the on-farm feeds contained sub-optimal levels of energy Ilowever, feed cost / kg weight gain was significantly lower for on-farm feeds. There were significant differences (P<0.05) between the on furm diets (T1-T3) and the commercial diets (T4 -T6) in term of feed cost per kg gain. The on farm feeds were relatively cheaper than the commercial feeds. It is concluded from this study that the widespread use of on-farm feeds hy poultry farmers can be justified on the basis of cost effectiveness and profitability considerutions. However the risks associated with this practice should be a matter of concern to all poultry farmers, research and extension personnel. It is therefore recommended that feed quality regulatory agencies should as a matter of urgency find ways by which some nieasure of quality control can be applied to on-farm feeds.
A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the performance, serum, lipid, haematology and economic indices of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with different levels of Chestnut (Castenea sativa) phytobiotic as a replacement for antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). A total of 300, oneday-old cobb 500 broiler chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design to five dietary treatments each replicated thrice, with 20 chicks per replicate. Chestnutphytobiotics was included at 0, 100, 125 and 150g/100 Kg diet while Oxytetracycline was included at 111g/100kg diet. Data was collected on growth performance, haematology, serum biochemical parameters, lipid profiles and economic indices. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test of significance. At the end of the starterphase, result showed that chicks placed on 100g phytobiotics diet had significantly (P<0.05) high final weight and weight gain than other supplemented diets and control. There was significant (P<0.05) differences in the feed conversion ratio. Feed cost per kilogram gain was significantly lower in chicks fed control diet, followed by phytobiotics, however higher feed cost per kilogram gain was recorded for chicks fed diet containing Oxytetracycline. Weight gain was significantly (P < 0.05) higher on oxytetracycline based diet (1783.2g) for finisher phase however, there was an improved values for chicks placed on phytobiotics. Glucose (206.51mg/dL) was significantly higher in treatment diet that contained oxytetracycline. Haematological indices showed that values for white blood cell (91.90x103/μL) and Heterophils (20.63%) were significantly higher in diets containing oxytetracycline than other treatment groups. Values for red blood cell, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were significantly (P<0.05) higher in broiler chickens fed diets containing 100g phytobiotics . Chestnut phytobiotics reduced the total cholesterol values from 151.13 - 96.55mg/dL when compared to other treatment groups. There were significant(P<0.05) differences in all the villi morphometry parameters measured except for crypt depth. The mean yield cost decreased as the level of phytobiotics increased. In conclusion, supplementation of Chestnut phytobiotics reduced total cholesterol and significantly improved the final weight, weight gain, feed cost per Kg gain and feed conversion ratio for both starter and finisher at 100g/100Kg. Chestnut phytobiotic is therefore a potential replacement for antibiotic growth promoters.
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