ABSTRACT
The use of locally available and cheap feed ingredients has received particular attention as a viable alternative to the use of conventional feedstuffs in developing countries. Vegetable-based feeds are rich sources of essential plant amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Further to the rich contents mentioned, it has been established that green vegetable leaves are cheap and abundant sources of protein because of their ability to synthesize amino acids from a wide range of available primary materials. The aim of this study was to investigate the response of broiler chickens to Carica papaya and Talinium triangulare under normal and subnormal diets. In this study, the effects of C. papayaleaf meal and T. triangulare chopped leaves were assessed on growth performance and haematological parameters of broiler chickens. Two hundred and seventy 1-d old Arbor acres broiler chicks were used for the study. Each treatment had 5 replicates with 6 birds per replicate. Normal diets and subnormal diets were compounded with varying amounts of ingredients. The test ingredients were supplied at the rate of 10% of the main diets. The design of the experiment was a completely randomized design. All the treatments with subnormal diets obtained higher feed intake than treatments with normal diets. Birds on subnormal diet mixed with C. papaya leaf meal (24.03%) obtained the highest packed cell volume. The haemoglobin concentrations followed a similar pattern. Normal diets compared with control for feed conversion ratio.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Phyllanthus amarus leaf meal on haematology and serum biochemical profile of broiler finishers vis a vis oxytetracycline, in order to serve a basis for further study focusing on antibacterial properties of Phyllanthus amarus. Study Design: The design of the study was completely randomised design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study lasted for 6 weeks. Methodology: One hundred and eight mixed-sex (Hybro PG) four-week old chicks were used for the study. Four dietary treatments were formulated. Each treatment had three replicates, while each replicate had nine birds. The experimental diets contained 0.25% of tetracycline (T1), 0.20%, 0.40%, and 0.60% of Phyllanthus amarus leaf meal for T2, T3, and T4 respectively. Results: Except for packed cell volume (PCV) and haemoglobin (Hb), there were no significant differences across the treatments for all the haematological parameters measured. There were no significant differences across the treatments for all the serum biochemical profile measured except for albumin and alanine amino transferase (ALT). There was significant (P=.05) increase for albumin for all diets containing Phyllanthus amarus leaf meal. The highest mean value was recorded for birds in T3 (1.56 g/dl), followed by those in T2 (1.45 g/dl). Those in control diet (T1) had the least mean value (0.53 g/dl). ALT did not follow a specific pattern. Conclusion: Phyllanthus amarus leaf meal in the diets of broiler finisher chickens did not pose any health hazards to the haematological parameters and serum biochemical profile of the broiler finishers at the levels of inclusion.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The study was carried out to assess the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf meal on the haematological parameters and serum biochemical profile of broiler finishers in comparison with oxytetracycline. Study Design: The design of the study was a completely randomised design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. The study lasted for four weeks. Methodology: One hundred and eight 4 weeks old un-sexed arbor acre broiler chicks were used for the study. Four dietary treatments containing 3064.27-3073.55 Kcal/kg of energy and 19.75% -21.94% crude protein were formulated and each treatment had three replicates with nine birds per replicate. The experimental diets contained 250g of oxytetracycline per 100kg of feed for treatment 1 (T1), 200g, 400g and 600g of Moringa oleifera leaf meal per 100kg of feed for treatments 2 (T2), 3 (T3) and 4 (T4) respectively. Results: The results of the study revealed that there was no significant difference across the treatments for most of the parameters measured. Red blood cell (RBC) counts for birds fed T4 (4.70 x106/mm3) were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those fed the control diet (3.61 x106/mm3). Birds fed T4 recorded highest aspartate amino transferase (AST) mean value (72.18%) which was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the mean value of those fed the control diet T1 (52.26%). Conclusion: It can be concluded from the result of the study that Moringa oleifera leaf meal could be used as alternative antibiotic in place of oxytetracycline. The result of the study suggested that Moringa oleifera leaf has antimicrobial properties.