Nutrient digestibility and growth performance of cockerels fed processed sickle pod (Senna obtusifolia) seed meal based-diets

Abstract


 
 
 
 A Feeding trial was conducted for sixteen weeks to evaluate nutrient utilization and growth performanceofcockerelsfedprocessedSennaobtusifoliamealbased-diets.Sixexperimental diets werecompounded tocontain 0%and20%eachoftheraw,boiled, soaked, sproutedand fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meal designated T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6, respectively. Data were collected on nutrient digestibility, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality. Poor nutrient digestibility for crude protein (45.18%), nitrogen free extract (42.39%) and ether extract (49.22%) were recorded in the group of cockerels fed raw Senna obtusifolia seed meal based-diet. However, better nutrient digestibility for crude protein (76.23%), nitrogen free extract (67.62%) and ether extract (68.65%) digestibility was observed in the group of cockerel fed 0% Senna obtusifolia seed meal based-diet. Among the cockerels fed the processed Senna obtusifolia seed meal based-diets, those fed the fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meal based-diet showed better crude protein (75.08%), ether extract (68.65%) nitrogen free exract (67.62%) and crude fibre (32.78%) digestibility. The result of productive performance revealed a significantly (P<0.05) low total feed intake (3242.13 g), total weight gain (806.50 g) and the poorest feed conversion ratio(4.02) in the group of cockerels fed raw Senna obtusifolia seed meal based-diet. The group of cockerels fed the processed Senna obtusifolia seed meal based-diets indicated significant (P<0.05) improvement in productive performance with those fed the fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meal based-diet recording the highest total feed intake (3552.51 g), total weight gain (1079.79 g) and the best feed conversion ratio (3.29). It can be concluded that 20% of fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meal can be incorporated in the diets of cockerels without depreciationinnutrientdigestibilityandproductiveperformance.
 
 
 

Prospects for the utilization of Senna obtusifolia products as protein supplements for poultry

“…(2016) also reported significant reduction of phytate, oxalate, saponins and tannin in S. obtusifolia seed boiled at 100°C for 40 min. Augustine et al (2017d) soaked the seed for 6, 12 and 24 h and found a 52% reduction in tannin content after 6 h. Increasing the duration of soaking above 6 h did not further reduce tannin content but phytate, oxalate and saponins reduced with increasing soaking duration up to 24 h. This suggests the presence of both condensed and hydrolysable tannins in S. obtusifolia seed. These authors however, observed significant reduction in the crude protein above 6 h and most essential amino acids above 12 h soaking, probably due to leaching.…”

“…The increased ALT, AST and ALP may suggest a liver dysfunction probably due to toxicity of the raw seed. Augustine et al (2018c) reported depressed weight gain, feed conversion ratio ( FCR ), and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens fed 50 g raw S. obtusifolia seed meal/kg diet. The adverse effects of residual ANFs in the seed as earlier reported ( Savage, 2003 ; Amarowicz, 2007 ; Tapiwa, 2019 ) could be possible reasons for elevation of the serum indices.…”