ORGANOLEPTIC PARAMETERS, TIBIA BONE GROWTH AND MINERAL RETENTION OF BROILER CHICKEN FED MORINGA OLEIFERA AND ALLIUM SATIVUM

Abstract

Two hundred and forty (240) one-day-old, unsexed cobb 500 broiler chickens were used to determine the organoleptic attributes, tibia bone growth and mineral retention of broiler chicken fed Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) and Allium sativum bulb powder (ABP) inclusive diets. The birds were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 4 replicates of 12 birds each in a completely randomized design. The treatments were: T1- control diet, T2 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 1 %, T3 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 3 %, T4 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 1 %, added with 0.1 % ABP and T5 − MLP replaced with soya bean meal at 3 %, added with 0.3 % ABP. The feeding trial lasted for a 28-day starter phase and another 28-day finisher phase. Data were collected on organoleptic parameters, tibia bone growth and mineral retention. Data collected were subjected to General Linear Model Procedure of SAS v9.2. Significant means were separated using Tukey's Procedure tested at a 5 % level of significance. At the 4th week, the colour, taste and juiciness of broiler meat in dietary treatments (T2, T3, T4 and T5) were similar (P > 0.05) to T1, while other parameters were not influenced by the dietary treatments. At the 8th week, the taste of broiler meat in T1 was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in T4. The aroma in T1 was similar (P > 0.05) to T3 and T5, while tenderness in T1 was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in T3. At week 4, the bone's weight in T2 was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in T1. The diameter and ash weight in T2, T3, T4 and T5 were similar (P > 0.05) to those in T1. The calcium content in the dietary treatment (T2, T3, T4 and T5) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in T1. At the 8th week, the bone's weights in (T2, T3, T4 and T5) were similar (P > 0.05) to those in T1. The length was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T3 and T5 than in T1 and T4. The diameter in T1 was lower (P < 0.05) than that in T2. Calcium was progressively increased among the dietary treatments from T2 to T5. Therefore, T3 and T5 are, hereby, recommended for use in the livestock industry.