EFFECT OF BITTER LEAF (Vernonia amygdalina) MEAL ON LIVE WEIGHT AND CARCASS OF FINISHER BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of bitter leaf meal (BLM) on growth and carcass quality of finisher broilers. one hundred and forty four (144) unsexed Anak strain of broilers were used. There were 4 treatments (T) containing 36 birds each, arranged in completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated thrice, each having 12 birds. The birds were fed formulated starter feed containing no BLM for the first 4 weeks. At the beginning of the 5" week, BLMwas introduced at the rate of 0.0, 25, 50 and 75g/kg diet representing treatments one (T1), two (T2), three (T3) and four (T4) respectively. This was fed for the next 4 weeks ad libitum including drinking water. At the end of the experiment, 75g/kg gave the highest final live weight, total feed intake and better feed: gain ratio (P<0.05). There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in dressed percentage and cut-parts (breast, thigh, drumstick, wing). All the levels of BLM significantly (P<0.05) reduced abdominal fat. Hence 75g/kg BLM could be recommended for broiler diets at the finisher phase.