The effects of some raw tropical legume seeds on performance of exotic adult cockerels: performance characteristics, serum metabolites and organ morphology

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of some raw legumes (jack beans, bambara groundnut and benne seeds) on performance characteristics, serum metabolites and organ morphology of exotic adult cockerels of gold mine strain. Each of the raw legumes replaced full fat soybean meal at 25% and 50% levels respectively. The experiment lasted for eight (8) weeks. Feed intake and weight gain of birds fed 25% and 50% raw jack beans, raw bambara groundnuts and raw benne seeds were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced respectively. However, the reductions were marked in birds fed 50% raw jack beans. Significant (P<0.05) correlations were obtained between feed intake and haemagglutinin (r = -0.68), trypsin inhibitor (r = - 0.58); Weight gain and haemagglutinin (r = - 0.76), trypsin inhibitor (r=-0.83) . Mortality was higher in birds fed 50% raw jack beans. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in birds fed raw benne seed - based diets, but lower (P<0.05) in those fed 25% and 50% raw jack beans and bambara groundnuts respectively. Weights of livers and testes were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in birds fed raw jack beans, raw bambara groundnuts and raw benne seeds respectively. Pancreatic enlargement was however observed only in birds fed raw jack beans and bambara groundnuts respectively.

Keywords:Raw Legumes, anti-nutrients, cockerels, performance.

Bowen Journal of Agriculture Vol. 5 (1&2) 2008: pp. 41-49