A note on the effect of Gliricidia sepium leaf meal on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

Abstract

A five-week feeding trial was conducted using 180 Cobb commercial broiler chickens to study the inclusion of sun dried Gliricidia sepium leaf meal (GLM) in broiler diets. The 21-day-old chickens were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments. Fifty, 100 and 150 g kg-1 levels of GLM were included in a nutritionally balanced diet. The control diet did not contain GLM. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum. Feed intake, feed conversion efficiency and body weight gains were significantly (P<0.05) depressed by the addition of GLM to the diets. Dietary treatment had a significant impact on liver and gizzard weights. The abdominal fat content of carcass decreased progressively with increased levels of GLM. The carcass dressing percentage in the group fed diet with 15% GLM was lower (P<0.05) than in control group. No mortality was recorded throughout the study. As the level of dietary GLM increased, there was a corresponding increase in the intensity of yellow pigmentation of the skin, shanks, feet and beaks of birds. It seems that 50 g kg-1 GLM can be included into diets of broiler chickens.