Utilizing Salvinia molesta as Alternative Protein Source in Broiler Diet and the Effect on Performance, Breast Muscle and Abdominal Fat

Abstract

The objective of this study was to utilize the invasive aquatic weed, Salvinia molesta as an unconventional and alternative plant protein source in the broiler feeding operation. A total of 100, 15 days of age Lohman strain broilers with initial mean body weight of ±773.83 g were used in this experiment. The experimental design was Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 dietary treatments consisted of Salvinia molesta meal as follows; T0 (control diet), T1 (diet with 6% Salvinia molesta), T2 (diet with 12% Salvinia molesta) and T3 (diet with 18% Salvinia molesta) and each treatment was replicated five times with five chicks per experimental unit. Feed and water was offered ad libitum from day 15 to 42 and the chicks were vaccinated against Newcastle Disease and Gumboro at 4 and 15 days old. The parameters measured were feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio, final live weight, breast muscle and abdominal fat. The data was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and F-test with the aid of statistical analytical program (SPSS, version 16) and for mean comparison Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was applied after significant treatment difference (P<0.05). Maximum mean body weight gain per bird/day (34.39 g) was achieved by chickens on control diet which was statistically significant to birds fed Salvinia molesta diets. However, chickens on diet T1 also attained a significantly higher body weight gain (28.22 g) to treatments T2 (22.30 g) and T3 (19.33 g). Better feed conversion ratio was observed with chickens fed the control (4.01) and T1 (4.85) which were similar while deteriorating feed conversion ratio was observed with T2 (6.27) and T3 (7.14) which were similar. The difference between the former and latter treatment groups was significant (P<0.05). Maximum mean final live weight (1758.72 g) was gained with chickens on control diet followed by T1 (1573.56 g), T2 (1371.03 g) and T3 (1226.60 g). The differences were significant (P<0.05). Significantly (P<0.05) higher breast muscle percentage (39.20%) was noticed on control diet followed by T1 (34.52%), T2 (30.05%) and T3 (28.61). Abdominal fat was similar for control (2.26%) and T1 (2.07) which were significant (P<0.05) to T2 (1.12%) and T3 (0.70%). Based on these results the inclusion of 6% Salvinia molesta in the Lohman broiler diet can be recommended since the effects on the chickens are favorable and similar with respect to the control diet.