Effect of Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean) Leaf Meal on Performance and Blood Composition of Finisher Broiler Chickens.

Abstract

The effect of Mucuma pruriens (Velvet bean) leaf neul on the performance and blood composition of finisher broiler chickens were determined in a 35-day feeding trial. Chemical analysis indicated that the leaf meal is relutively high in crude protein (22.34%) and with estimated energy content of 1:108.93kJ/kg DM. Maize based diets containing mucuna leaf meul (MLM) at 0,, 5,. 7.5 and 10% levels, respectively were formulated and fed to finisher broilers in a complete randomized design replicuted four times. Luch replicate contained 10 birds. Birds fed MLM diets had a statistically (P>0.05) similar feed intake values with the control group, Body weight gain of the birds compared favorably with the control except at 10% (P<0.05) dietary inclusion level. Birds fed 10% MLM dict hud the lowest weight gain. Feed conversion ratios were similar among the 1), 5 and 7.5% diel groups. The blood compositions of finisher broilers in terins of packed cell volume, red blood cell and haemoglohin increased with increasing dietary level of the meal but the values were not significantly (P>0.05) different from the control. With increasing dietary inclusion levels of MLM in the diets, the erythrocytic and leucocytic (WBC, lymphoecytas and neutrophils) parameters varied without any negative significant (P>0.05) effects. It is concluded that 7.5% MLM could be used in broiler finisher diets without any deleterious effects on the performance Enhanced erythrocytes values were obtained at 10% dietary level.