PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN FED DIETS CONTAINING PAWPAW LEAF MEAL AND EXOGENOUS-ENZYME

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of Pawpaw leaf meal (PLM) inclusion and exogenous multi-enzyme supplementation on broilers performance. A 2x2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design was used in this experiment. Four experimental diets were formulated and designated as diet 1 (0%-E), diet 2 (0%+E), diet 3 (5%-E) and diet 4 (5%+E). Diets 1 and 3 were not enzyine supplemented but had PLM inclusion at 0 and 5% level respectively, while diets 2 and 4 were enzyme supplemented at the rate of 0.5g/kg but had PLM inclusion at 0 and 5% level respectively. One hundred and twenty (120) arbor acre two weeks- old broiler chicken were selected from a larger flock that had been raised on commercial diet. These birds were balanced for weight and thereafter distributed into 12 pens of 10 birds each. These pens were allotted to four dietary treatment groups randomly such that each experimental diet was fed to 3 replicate. The total weight gain (TWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significant (P<0.01) for enzyme supplementation, while PLM inclusion was significant (P<0.05) for TWG. The PLM: and exogenous-enzyme supplementation caused 13.65% and 18.31% increase respectively in the total weight gain of the broiler chickens. Based on data obtained from this study, PLM at 5% inclusion and exogenous enzyme supplementation in the diet of broiler chicken impreves the performance of the birds.