Abstract

Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Organ Weight, Haematological and Biochemical Indices and Feed-cost Benefits of Broiler Chickens Fed Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaf Meal Diet

A 49 day experiment was conducted to evaluate the response, carcass, organ and haematological characteristics, feed-cost-benefits of broiler birds fed Guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf meal as partial substitution for maize. A total of 120 day old broiler chickens of Abor Acre Strain were randomly assigned to four (4) treatment diets having three replicates consisting of 10 birds each in a Completely Randomized Design. The dietary treatments were formulated such that Diets 1(Control), 2, 3, and 4 contained 0%, 7.5%, 15% and 22.5% Guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf meal in broiler chicken diets respectively. They were fed and watered ad-libitum on a wood-shaving litter. Growth parameters such as feed intake, weight changes, feed-to-gain ratio were obtained while other parameters such as blood were determined in the laboratory according to the procedure. Body weight results differed (P>0.05) among tretament groups respectively. The results obtained were 1750.26g, 1700.07g, 1589.78g and 1539.76g (P>0.05), but birds fed Guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf meal diet at 7.5% showed a better FCR 2.49 among the treatment groups. Carcass characteristics were significantly different (P<0.05) among the treatment groups with drumstick having highest values 18.30% and 18.10% at 0% and 7.5% respectively. All the carcass parameters had highest values at 0% followed by 7.5% inclusion level. Relative organ weights did not differ significantly (P˃0.05). Haematological parameters differed significantly (P<0.05) except MCV, MCH and MCHC, but RBC values were highest in T₂ (7.5%) 2.97µl, WBC highest at T₂ (7.5%) 2.90µl, and Hb values highest at T₂ (7.5%) 11.12g/dl. Serum biochemical indices of broilers fed (Psidium guajava L.) leaf meal differed significantly (P<0.05) on all the parameters with protein having the highest values of 4. 42g/dl at T₂ (7.5%), creatinine T⁴ (22.5%) 0.74mg/dl. Feed-cost-benefit analysis showed that birds fed guava leaf meal at T₂ (7.5%) has the same cost-benefit-ratio of 3.51 in T₁ (0% control diet). It was concluded that Guava (Psidium guajava L.) leaf meal can partially substitute broiler chicken diets at 7.5%-15% inclusion level without adverse effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, haematological and biochemical parameters.