Response of broiler (Gallus gallus domesticus) performance and carcass traits to increasing levels of Acacia angustissima leaf meal as a partial replacement of standard protein sources

摘要

Important raw material incorporated in feed formulation for poultry is expensive, thus hindering the growth of the poultry industry in tropical regions. Therefore, the authors investigated the effect of including different levels of Acacia angustissima leaf meal in the diet of broilers (as an alternate protein source/cereal grain ingredient) on growth performance and carcass yield. A total of 160 Ross 308 broiler chicks weighing 0.90 +/- 0.043 kg was assigned to 6 treatment diets of 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 g/kg DM, in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated 4 times. The experimental period of lasted for 35 d inclusive of environmental and diet adaptation. The results indicated a quadratic decrease on final body weight (FBWT) (P 0.001) with increasing levels for A. angustissima leaf meal. A linear decrease was observed on both ADFI and ADG. There was no effect on F : G ratio. Using the broken-stick model, ADFI (P 0.01), ADG (P 0.001), and F: G ratio (P 0.01) were constrained at 60.77, 90.14, and 70.98 g/kg DM of A. angustissima inclusion. All of our carcass yield parameters had a quadratic decrease (P 0.001) with increasing inclusion levels of A. angustisima leaf meal. In conclusion, A. angustisima leaf meal could be incorporated in broiler diets as an alternative cheap source of protein in the tropics. The optimum inclusion level of A. angustissima leaf meal that can be recommended to replace traditional protein sources in broiler diets is ADFI 60.77, ADG 90.14, and F: G ratio 70.98 g/kg DM.