Abstract
In a 6-week feeding trial, Vernonia amygdaliana leaf meat (VaLM) was tested as a dietary ingredient in broiler starter diets. The diets comprised VaLM included at Og (diet 1), 50g per kg basal diet (incorporated at the expense of groundnut cake and wheat ofsals - diets 2 and 3 respectively) and 100g per kg basal diet (incorporated at the expense of groundnut cake -- diet 4). During the study, parameters such as characteristics, blood parameters, histopathology of some organs (liver, kidney, lungs, heat, gizzard and pancreas) and carcass characteristics were investigated. Birds fed on VaLM - based diets performed poorly, the effects of the diet being more pronounced on those fed diet 4. Addition of VaLM to poultry feed significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed intake and weight gain of experimental birds. Blood cellular constituents decreased significantly (p<0.05) in birds fed VaLM-based diets and there were serious histopathological changes within the liver, kidney, lungs, heart, gizzard and pancreas.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
