Apparent nutrient retention and haematological indices of broiler finishers fed lablab seed meal

Abstract

Studies were carried out to investigate the effect of feeding diets containing lablab seed meal (LSM) in place of groundnut cake (GNC) or full fat soya (FFS) as the major source of protein on apparent nutrient retention and haematological parameters of broilers at the finisher phase. Dry matter retention was highest (P<0.05) for birds fed GNC, which had the lowest (P<0.05) crude protein, nitrogen free extract and calcium retentions. Birds fed LSM had the lowest (P<0.05) retention of magnessium and phosphorus. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (fl) was lowest (P<0.05) for broiler finishers fed GNC, while neutrophils (%), lymphocytes (%) and monophils (%) were lowest (P<0.05) for those fed diets containing LSM. All values were however within the normal ranges for broilers. The results indicate that LSM could replace GNC and FFS in the diets of broilers at the finisher phase without compromising performance.