The feed value of toasted <i>Mucuna sloanei</i> meal on the performance, haematology and blood biochemistry of broiler finisher birds

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the feed value of toasted Mucuna sloanei meal (TMSM) on the performance, haematology and blood biochemistry of broiler finisher birds. Mucuna sloanei seeds were processed into toasted Mucuna sloanei meal (TMSM) and analyzed for proximate and phytochemical composition. The meal was then used to formulate broiler finisher diets at 0.0, 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0% inclusion levels respectively, which were then used to raise groups of 30 broiler finisher for 5 weeks. At the end of the 5 weeks (35 days) feeding trial, 3 birds were selected from each group and used for the determination of the blood indices. The daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05) as the dietary levels of TMSM increased. The cost of production also increased as the TMSM increased. The haemoglobin (HB), the packed cell volume and the red blood cell decreased significantly at 15.0% dietary levels. The total proteins, creatinine, urea, cholesterol and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) decreased significantly as toasted Mucuna sloanei meal increased. The results of this trial suggests that broiler finisher chicken can be fed with the toasted Mucuna sloanei meal up to 5.0% inclusion level in their diets without any detrimental effects on performance and blood indices.

Keywords: feed value, toasted Mucuna, haematology, blood biochemistry