Effect of aqueous extract of cocoyam leaf (<i>Xanthosoma sagittifolium</i>) on growth performance of broiler chickens fed full-fat Soya bean

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of aqueous extracts from cocoyam leaf on the growth performance of broiler chickens fed full-fat Soya bean. The study was carried out with seventy-two (72) day old broiler chickens in a completely randomized design. The seventytwo (72) broiler chicks were randomly assigned into four groups (T1, T2, T3 and T4), each treatment had (3) birds per replicate. The T1 which was the control, contained 0g of aqueous extract of cocoyam leaves while the birds in T2, T3 and T4 were offered aqueous extract of cocoyam leaves at 100g, 150g and 200g per 6 liters of water, respectively. The test ingredients were analyzed for nutritional and phytochemical composition. Data was collected from the broiler chickens' daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, body weight gain and daily weight gain. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) on the feed intake, daily weight gain, feed efficiency, feed conversion ratio, initial and final body weights of the broiler birds. However, total water and mean daily water intake differed significantly (P>0.05). The extract administered groups (T2, T3 and T4) had lower water intake as the quality of cocoyam leaves increased. The significant variations in the water intake as the quantity of cocoyam increased may be attributed to anti-nutrient factors (tannins) found in the leaves. The cocoyam leaves are rich in nutrients when assessed by the proximate and mineral composition. It can serve as a feedstuff for livestock. Cocoyam leaves extracts should be used with caution due to the anti-nutritional factors present in it. It is therefore safe to recommend 100-150g of cocoyam leaves/ 6litres of water for broiler chickens without any negative impact on growth rate of the broiler chickens.

Keywords: Broiler chickens, Cocoyam leaves, Extracts, Growth