ABSTRACT
Black tea leaves [Camellia sinensis] have been known for many years in lowering cholesterol level. The purpose of the present study was to find the effects of spent black tea leaves as a substitute of wheat bran on cholesterol reduction in broiler chicks. For this purpose a total of hundred and fifty [150], day old broiler poultry chicks were purchased from the local market. The spent black tea leaves were collected from tea stalls. Chicks were randomly distributed into 5 main groups according to spent black tea leaves and wheat bran supplementation. Group R[0] was kept as control, containing 120g/kg wheat bran but no spent black tea leaves supplementation; group R30 received spent black tea leaves supplemented feed at the rate of 30g/kg plus 90g/kg wheat bran; group R60 received spent black tea leaves supplemented feed at the rate of 60g/kg plus 60g/kg wheat bran, group R90 received spent black tea leaves supplemented feed at the rate of 90g/kg plus 30g/kg wheat bran and group R120 received the spent black tea leaves supplemented feed at the rate of 120g/kg plus 0 g/kg wheat bran respectively. Each group was carrying three replicate [10 chicks/replicate]. The data was statistically analyzed, using completely randomized design. Mean liver cholesterol per chick on diet R[30], R[60], R[90], and R[120] was 102.22, 93.55, 76.22, 60.78 and 51.55mg/100g. Breast cholesterol per chick on diet R[30], R[60], R[90], and R[120] was 61.89, 51.33, 44.78, 37 and 32.77mg/100g. It was concluded that the addition of spent black tea leaves at the rate of 120g/kg has significant effect on cholesterol reduction and over all performance of broiler chicks and recommended that expensive wheat bran can be effectively replaced by these spent black tea leaves in broiler poultry ration