Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Economics of Production of Broiler Fed Diets Containing Gliricidia Leaf Meal as Replacement for Soybean Meal

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the growth performance, carcass traits and economics of production of broiler fed soya bean replaced with Gliricidia leaf meal (GLM) diet. One hundred, 4 weeks old broiler chickens were randomly distributed to five treatments of 2 replicates with ten birds per replicate. These were fed trial diets containing 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40% levels of soya bean replaced with GLM for 5 weeks. Results showed that weight gain were not significantly influenced (p>0.05) by the dietary treatments. Feeding trial exerted effects on feed intake however, feed gain ratio and feed efficiency were not significantly different (p>0.05).No significant difference (p>0.05)was observed in thigh, wing and breast muscle weights of the birds fed Gliricidia substituted diet however, liver weight was significantly affected by the diet. Price/kg of feed reduced with increased. Gliricidia in the diets but the cost per/kg animal produced was not significantly affected (p>0.05).It could therefore be suggested that soya bean meal could be replaced with GLM up to 40% level without adverse effect on performance and weights of major primal parts of the bird. This will also reduce the cost of feed and competition for soya beans between man and livestock industry.