Evaluation of <i>Jacaranda mimosifolia</i> T. (Stans) leaf meal as ingredient in finisher broilers diet: performance, carcass and organ weight characteristics

Abstract

A 35-day experiment was conducted to determine the effects of Jacarandamimosifolia leaf meal (JLM) diets on the performance, carcass and organ weight characteristics of finisher broilers. A total of 108–four-week-old Anak broilers were fed Jacaranda mimosifolia leaf meal at dietary levels of 0.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5%. The feed intake for the 0.0, 2.5 and 5.0% were significantly (p<0.05) superior to that of the group on 7.5% JLM inclusion level. The average daily weight gain for the 0.0% treatment level was significantly higher (p<0.05) than the other treatment groups. The feed conversion ratio was not significant across treatment groups containing the leaf meal but was significantly different from the control diet. No mortality was recorded during the course of the trial. Carcass characteristics and relative organ weight of the broilers did not record any significant (p>0.05) difference in all the treatment groups. The economic benefit analysis indicated that as the leaf meal increased in the diets the cost of production of the broilers decreased. Jacaranda leaf meal could be best utilized at 5.0% level of inclusion though the 7.5% levels broilers attained market size in a recorded time.

Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2(1) 2006: 44-49