Effect of Tagasaste (<i>Chymancytisus palmensis</i>) Leaf Meal Supplementation on Feed Intake, Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Rhode Island Red Chicks

Abstract

Feed intake, growth performance and carcass characteristics of mixed sex Rode Island Red chicks supplemented with varying levels of tagasaste leaf meal were evaluated in this study. One hundred sixty day-old chicks with an average initial weight of 65.5 ± 8.9 g were allocated to 16 pens, with 10 chicks each in a completely randomized design. Four isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated to contain tagasaste leaf meal at the rate of 0% (T1), 5% (T2), 10% (T3) and 15% (T4) of the total diet dry matter (DM). The amounts of feed offered and refused were measured daily to determine feed intake. Body weights were taken on weekly basis. At the beginning of the trial, 8 chicks were selected (excluding the 160 chicks) and slaughtered for chemical analyses to determine nutrient retention. At the end of the trial, a male and a female from each replicate were slaughtered for chemical analysis and carcass trait measurement. The average daily DM intake for T4 (48.9 g) was higher (P<0.05) than that of T1 (45.9 g). The highest (P<0.05) ash, calcium and crude fiber intake was observed in chicks fed T4 diets. The crude protein intake was higher (P<0.05) in chicks supplemented with tagasaste leaf meal compared to the non-supplemented one. The metabolizable energy intake was similar (P>0.05) among treatment groups. The protein, energy and calcium retention decreased (P<0.05) as the level of tagasaste leaf meal increased in the diet. The average daily gain was highest (P<0.05) for chicks subjected to T1 while there were no significant difference (P>0.05) among the other treatments. The slaughter, drumstick, thigh, back, breast and carcass weights were highest (P<0.05) for T1 than the other treatments. The dressing percentage was similar (P>0.05) among treatments. Tagasaste leaf meal could be considered as a good source of both protein and energy for smallholder farmers where such supplements are not available. However, further study is recommended aimed at increasing the efficiency of nutrient utilization.