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

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.

The effect of supplementation of multistrain probiotic preparation in combination with vitamins and minerals to the basal diet on the growth performance, carcass traits, and physiological response of broilers

“…Such condition may cause specific micronutrient deficiencies, especially vitamins and minerals, leading to growth retardation in broilers [ 1 ]. To optimize the growth potential of modern broilers in the commercial farms, supplementing the commercial broiler feeds with growth promoters [ 2 ], probiotics [ 3 ], minerals and vitamins [ 4 - 6 ], green foliage/leaf meals [ 7 ], exogenous enzymes [ 8 ], or essential amino acids [ 9 ] has been conducted. With regard to probiotics, vitamins, and minerals, these components have been known to exert an immune-enhancing effect on poultry [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Comparison of Dietary Kudzu Leaf Meal (Pueraria montana Var. lobata) and Alfalfa Meal Supplementation Effect on Broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Organ Parameters

“…Birds fed KLM had a 0.25% higher GW% than birds on the control diet during the 21 d grow out. Etela et al [25] observed similar outcomes when supplementing green foliage supplements (i.e., fresh centrosema (Centrosema molle), tropical kudzu (Pueraria phaseoloides), or waterleaf leaves (Talinium triangulare)) in broiler diets. The authors concluded that gizzard weight was higher when the diet consisted of supplemented green feeds.…”

“…High levels of leaf meals included in the diet could cause nutrient imbalances and inhibit metabolism, thus negatively affecting growth performance [5,48]. However, Etela et al [25] observed that there were no treatment effects on total feed intake and total body weight gain between tropical kudzu and a control diet (commercial type broiler diet) throughout a 62 d grow out. Although traditional feedstuffs (i.e., corn and soybean meal) produce higher performing birds, using kudzu as a protein supplement appears to be a viable option due to birds on KLM still having adequate 21 d average body weight when compared to control and AM in the present study.…”

“…Thus, birds that were fed the control diet were more efficient. Etela et al [25] reported that birds supplemented with tropical kudzu experienced a higher FCR and lower protein efficiency than birds fed a commercial broiler diet. Research has observed that high fiber diets negatively affect broiler performance.…”

“…They concluded that PLM should not be used while rearing broilers as it decreased growth rate. In contrast, Etela et al [25] supplemented fresh Pueraria phaseoloides in the diets of Lohmann Browns (a chicken predominantly used as a layer) and suggested that leaf meals could be incorporated into poultry diets. Therefore, kudzu's high nutrient composition could be a potential substitution for common, more expensive feed components typically used in broiler diets [26].…”