GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND HAEMATOLOGICAL INDICES OF BROILERS FED DIETS CONTAINING GRADED LEVELS OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM AND OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM LEAF MEALS

ABSTRACT

A study involving two experiments was conducted to determine the responses of broiler birds to varying dietary levels of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum leaf meals respectvely. In experiment I, ninety-six 14-day old unsexed commercial broiler chicks (Anak strain) were randomly divided into four groups of 24 birds each. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the four  starter diets (11.92 -12.09MJ/kg ME and   24.01 -24.05% CP) and four finisher diets (12.26 -12.47 MJ /kg ME and 21.00-21.06 % CP) containing 0g, 100g,

150g, and 200g/25kgdiet) of Gongronema latifolium leaf meal (GLLM) at 6 weeks of age in completely randomized design(CRD). Each treatment was replicated two times with 12 birds per replicate. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum to the birds.  In experiment II, ninety- six 14-day old unsexed commercial broiler chicks (Anak strain) were randomly divided into four groups of 24 birds each. Each group was randomly assigned to one of the four  starter diets (11.92 -12.09MJ/kg ME and   24.01 -24.05% CP) and four finisher diets (12.26 -12.47

MJ  /kg  ME  and  21.00-21.06  % CP) containing  0g,  100g,  150g,  and  200g/25kgdiet)  of Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal (OGLM) at 6 weeks of age in completely randomized design(CRD). Each treatment was replicated two times with 12 birds per replicate. Feed and water were supplied ad libitum to the birds.   Each experiment lasted eight weeks. Results indicated that in experiment I significant (p<0.05) differences existed among treatments in the values of total weight gain (TWG), Daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed cost per weight gain (FC/kg) for birds fed GLLM at starter phase. Significant (p < 0.05) differences also existed among treatments in daily feed intake (DFI), total feed intake (TFI), cost of daily feed intake (CDFI) and cost of total feed intake (CTFI) at the finisher phase. However, there were no significant (p > 0.05) differences in the final body weight (FBW) of broiler birds in both starter and finisher phases. Significant (p<0.05) differences existed among treatments in the mean values of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), white blood cell (WBC), cholesterol (CHL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) of the birds fed GLLM at the starter phase. Significant (p<0.05) differences were also observed in the mean values of all the haematological  parameters except  mean  corpuscular haemoglobin  (MCH) at  the  finisher phase. Birds fed diet 4 (200g of GLLM /25kg diet) had the highest WBC value in both starter and finisher phases. Birds fed diets containing GLLM had significantly (p < 0.05)   lower CHL values than those in the control group (in the starter and finisher phases); thus indicating that dietary inclusion of GLLM at the levels used in this study can reduce cholesterol concentration in broiler birds. The WBC values (9100cells/mm3 and 9300cells/mm3) for birds fed diet 4 (200 g of GLLM /25kg diet) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the values for birds fed other diets in the starter and finisher phases.  It was concluded that while the dietary inclusion of GLLM and OGLM at levels 100g – 200g had no adverse effect on growth performance of the broiler birds, the inclusion of Gongronema latifolium leaf meal at the rate of 200g/25kg in broiler’s diets may not be more cost effective at the starter phase. However, it had no deleterious effect on the growth performance of the birds and it also improved the overall birds’ health. Likewise, the dietary inclusion of Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal at the rate of 200g/25kg was the most cost effective, and resulted in the best overall birds’ performance at the starter and finisher phases.

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

The need for animal protein by humans cannot be overemphasized. Animal protein contains large amounts of the essential amino acids needed for normal body function .The level of consumption of meat and animal protein in Nigeria is estimated at 8g per caput per day, which is about 27g less than the minimum requirement recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO, 1997; FAO, 2006). This has encouraged greater interest in fast growing animal with short generation interval like pigs, rabbits and poultry.    Poultry    is considered to be a means of livelihood and a way of achieving a certain level of economic independence in Nigeria, since the keeping of poultry in different parts of the country is for both dietary and economic reasons (Oluyemi and Roberts, 2007; Mohammed, 2010). Poultry meat is favoured over beef because of its higher protein and lower calorie content in addition to such favourable meat quality as tenderness etc (Smith, 2001; Sam, 2010). Moreover, in response to public concern over dietary fat, poultry has become a popular substitute for beef and  pork. As  a  result  of  modern  technological  development,  many  poultry  houses  now provide excellent environmental control, and the management and marketing of birds are finely regulated. In addition, poultry is also free from religious taboos, social, economic and some climatic constraints. However, one of the major constraints in poultry production in Nigeria is the prevalence of poultry diseases which result in high mortality rate among the flocks. In an effort to combat poultry diseases and nutrient deficiencies in poultry, there has been an increased interest by poultry farmers on the search for leafy vegetables that are ethno-medicinal, good sources of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and that can boost the growth of chickens Alabi etal. (2008).

Leafy vegetables are good sources of dietary fibre, carotenoids, vitamins, folate, phytochemicals, and certain minerals (Amaefule and Obioha, 2001). According to Alabi et al. (2008), vegetables and other leafy plants are known to be rich in protein, essential fatty acids and most especially in vitamins and minerals which make them to be good potential sources of these nutrients to livestock and human populations at reasonably cheaper rates. However, their incorporation into animal feeds is still negligible in view of the huge dependence on vitamin/mineral premises which are well adopted sources of these micronutrients (Alabi et al., 2008). Minerals and vitamin deficiencies are usually combated with the use of leafy

vegetables (Bassole et al., 2005). The leaf meals to be considered in this study as sources of prebiotics are Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum leaf meals.

Gongronema latifolium, commonly called ‘utazi’ and ‘arokeke’ in the south eastern and south western parts of Nigeria, respectively is a tropical rainforest plant primarily used as spice and vegetable in traditional folk medicine. This plant is propagated by seed (Agbo and Obi, 2006). It is reported to be nutritionally high in iron, zinc, vitamins and proteins (Okafor, 2005).

Ocimum gratissimum is a tropical aromatic annual or perennial herb which is known to produce anti-diabetic effect, relaxes the muscles of the small intestine, cure gastrointestinal disorder, help prevent diarrhea, has mosquito repellent and mosquitocidal potential, and anthelmintic activity(Bassole et al., 2005). Some other sources of prebiotics include: raw oats, unrefined wheat and barley, raw bananas, raw garlic, raw leek and so on (Langhout,

2000; Williams and Losa, 2001; Hernandez et al., 2004)

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

One of the major problems in Nigeria is the gross deficiency in protein intake, both in quality and in quantity.  The daily requirement of animal protein per adult is 65g and many developing countries have a per capita protein that is far below 15g (FAO, 2002). This has been attributed to no or poor access to protein in the right quantities and qualities. In Nigeria, for instance, the per capita animal protein intake is 15g/day (Federal Office of Statistics,

2004). This has grossly affected the social and economic well-being of the majority of the Nigerian people. Like many other developing countries, Nigeria is struggling to keep its food production commensurate with its population growth and under-nutrition and malnutrition may even be increasing (Ironkwe, 2007). According to Ani (2007), the best logical solution to the problem of animal protein shortage is to increase the production and consumption of pigs, poultry and rabbits and make their products readily available at affordable cost. Incidentally, broiler production in Nigeria is confronted among others with high mortality rate and exorbitant cost of broiler feeds and drugs, and these problems demand  immediate solution. Due  to  the  aforementioned  problems,  it  becomes  penitent  that  investigations  should  be carried out to ascertain the efficacy of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum to enhance the growth performance and haematological profile of broiler birds.

1.3.     Objectives of the study

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the potentials of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum leaf meals as feed additives in the diets of broiler birds. The specific objectives of the study were to:

i     Determine the effects of dietary inclusion of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum  leaf meals  on  growth  performance of broiler starter and  finisher birds.

ii    Ascertain the effects of dietary inclusion of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum  leaf  meals  on  haematological  and  serum  biochemical  indices  of broiler starter and finisher birds.

iii  Evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum leaf meals on carcass and organ weights of broiler starter and finisher birds

1.4 Justification of the Study

The need to combat the prevalent poultry diseases in order to enhance animal production and increase the supply of animal protein to the teaming Nigeria populace has spurred scientists to embark on studies that will exploit locally available materials for use as feed additives and medicaments. Two of such materials are Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum leaves.   Gongronema latifolium and Ocimum gratissimum leaves are medicinal and used in the treatment of many diseases that can cause death in farm animals. They are also used as spices and vegetables in traditional folk medicine. They contain ascorbic acid (Vit.C), and strengthens the immune system.   In addition to their antimicrobial activity and their being antioxidants, they increase the production of digestive enzymes and improve the absorption of digested products through enhancing liver functions (Langhout, 2000; Williams and Losa, 2001; Ugochukwu and Babady, 2002; Hernandez et al., 2004; Mensah et al., 2008). In  spite  of  these  good  potentials  observed  in  Gongronema  latifolium  and  Ocimum gratissimum leaves, they have not been exploited fully as feed additives in poultry feed production. There is therefore, the need to investigate their efficacy as additives in broiler diets. Their use will help in the prevention of diseases which often pose problems to the farmers, thereby enhancing production and reducing the cost of poultry production

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