Performance and blood profile of Noiler chickens fed diets containing graded levels of Parkia biglobosa leaf meal

Abstract

A study was undertaken for 56 days to determine the growth performance and blood profile of Noiler chicks fed diets with different levels of Parkia biglobosa leaf meal (PBLM) as a partial replacement of soya bean meal (SBM). A total of ninety-six unsexed Noiler day-old chicks were allotted into four dietary groups of 24 chicks with three replicates of eight per group based on weight equalization using a Completely Randomized experimental design. Group 1 containing 0% PBLM (control), groups 2 to 4 had SBM replaced at 5% 10% and 15% in their diets respectively. Data were collected on feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, feed cost reduction, haematological and serum indices. Results showed that PBLM had an effect (p<0.05) on the growth performance, feed cost reduction, and blood profiles. There was better performance up to 10% PBLM but the performance declined significantly at a higher inclusion level. There was an improvement in the haematological parameters up to 10% PBLM inclusion. The AST and ALP increased significantly with the increased level of PBLM while the total protein, albumin, cholesterol and glucose reduced with the increased level of PBLM: nevertheless, there were no influences (P > 0.05) on the protein and albumin values. The result of this study, therefore, suggested that soya bean meal in Noiler chick diets can be replaced by up to 10% of PBLM without harmful effects on the growth and blood profile.