Present study was conducted in 120 day-old unsexed broiler chicks. They were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) supplemented with leaf meal mixture (LMM) of Eugenia jambolana and Psidium guajava@ 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 % of diet, respectively of 30 birds per treatment, each having 3 replicates (10 chicks per replicate) in a complete randomized block design (CRD). Significantly (P<0.05) higher mean body weight was observed in T1 as compared to T2, T3 and T4 groups. Carcass yields viz. live weight, de-feathered weight, slaughtered weight and eviscerated weights (in gram and % LWt.) were statistically non significant (P>0.05) with and without LMM supplemented diets. However, weights of spleen and liver were significantly (P<0.000, P<0.026) higher in LMM supplemented groups as compared to un-supplemented control (T1). Dietary supplementation significantly reduced abdominal fat content in T4 compared to T1, whereas, T2 and T3 have an intermediate values between T1 and T4 and increased the net profit, it ranged from + 30.41 to 34.24 per bird.
Broiler chicken production plays a significant role in human nutrition and as income sources for improving livelihood security of rural poor families. Broiler chicken provides an immense supply of animal protein for the world’s human population. It is one of the most profitable businesses in agriculture as it provides nutritious meat within a short period of time. However, prices of poultry feed ingredients have increased dramatically over the past decade. Much of this cost increase has resulted from the short supply as a result of industrial and human needs. With increasing prices, managing the cost of poultry feed is becoming more important. Nutritionists have emphasized the need for utilizing locally available alternative feed resources (Al-Ruqaie et al., 2011; Pathak et al., 2013; Shafey et al., 2011). Thus, there is a need to look inwards for other alternative cheap sources of feed ingredients, which are not consumed by humans for the formulation of balanced ration for broilers. One possible alternative source of cheap feedstuff is the LM of some trees. The LM and LMM of various trees have been incorporated in the diets of broiler as a means of reducing the high cost of conventional feed ingredients (Daing et al., 2017a,b; Pathak, 2017; Zargar et al., 2017). It was reported that LM not only serve as protein source but also provide some necessary vitamins, minerals, potent source of PSMs especially CT (Pathak et al., 2015) as natural antioxidants and natural compounds having potent anti- parasitic properties (Daing et al., 2017a,b; Pathak et al., 2013, 2017; Zargar et al., 2016, 2017).
How to cite this article: Zargar, M.A., Pathak, A.K., Sharma, R.K. and Daing, M.I. (2020). Influence of Eugenia jambolana and Psidium guajava Leaf Meal Mixture Supplementation on Carcass Characteristics and Economics of Broiler Chickens. J. Anim. Res., 10(3): 459-464.
Source of Support: None; Conflict of Interest: None
Leaf meals have been incorporated in the diets of broilers as a means of reducing the high cost of conventional feed ingredients. Introducing unconventional feed ingredients as cheap alternatives appear a realistic step for poultry nutritionists. Keeping all these point in view, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of graded level of Eugenia jambolana and Psidium guajava LMM supplementation as partial replacer of costlier maize on growth, carcass characteristics and economics of broiler chickens.
Materials and Methods
Fresh leaves of Eugenia jambolana and Psidium guajava were harvested from Faculty premises and air-dried in the shed for 12-15 days. Dried leaves were milled through laboratory hammer mill. LMM and experimental broiler diets were analyzed for proximate composition as per standard protocol. Before arrival of chicks management of brooder and shed were followed as per standard protocol. Electric bulbs brooder and gas brooder were used as source of light and heat. After brooding, chicks were housed in 12 deep litter pens.
Feeding and experimental design
One hundred and twenty day-old unsexed broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four dietary treatments of thirty birds per group. Each group was sub-divided into three replicates of ten chicks per replicate in a complete randomized block design (CRD). Water and respective diets were supplied ad libitum. Chicks in T1 group were given control diet (0% LMM), while the chicks in groups T2, T3 and T4 were given LMM supplemented diets @ 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 percent, respectively. Weighed amount of experimental feeds were offered to chicks of respective replicate and determined feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio and economics of LMM supplemented chicks.
Carcass Parameters
Carcass evaluation was done at the end of feeding trial of 42 days. Two birds from each replicate were randomly selected for carcass evaluation. Birds were starved overnight to empty the crop and were put in slaughtering trough and the head cut. Carcass analysis viz. live weight, slaughtered weight, de-feathered weight, eviscerated weight, shank, head, neck, heart, liver, lungs, empty gizzard, thymus, bursa, spleen and empty intestine weights were taken in grams and as percent of the live weight of the bird.
Statistical Analysis
Results obtained were processed and analysed using SPSS 16.0 software. Significance was declared at P<0.05 unless otherwise stated. All the statistical procedures were done as per Snedecor and Cochran (2004).
Results and DiscussionNutrient and chemical composition of experimental diets
The ingredients (g/kg) and chemical composition (g/kg DM) of experimental diets of broiler starter and finisher chicks have been presented in the Table 1.
Ingredients and chemical composition of experimental broiler diets
Various feed ingredients except LMM were purchased from local market for formulation of broiler starter and finisher diets as per BIS (1992). The LMM of E. jambolana and P. guajava was added in the experimental diets @ 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5 % in T1, T2, T3 and T4 diets, respectively by replacing maize so as to maintain iso-nitrogenous diets of both broiler starter and finisher. Every other ingredient remained constant throughout the experimental period. The average body weight (g) of entire growth trial at weekly interval in T1, T2, T3 and T4 groups is depicted in the figure 1. Significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight (g) was observed in T1 as compared to T2, T3 and T4 groups. As the time period of experimental study increased, mean body weights of broiler chicks increased significantly (P<0.05) at weekly intervals.
Carcass characteristics
Data on carcass characteristics and organ weights are presented in the Table 2. Carcass yields viz. live weight, de-feathered weight, slaughtered weight and eviscerated weights in gram and as percent of live weight of experimental broiler chicks were not statistically (P>0.05) influenced by graded level of LMM. Similarly, live weight of different body organs and body parts viz. feather, shank, head, neck, heart, intestine, drumstick and wings did not differ significantly (P>0.05) irrespective of groups. It clearly indicated that dietary supplementation of LMM from 2.5 to 7.5% did not exert any adverse effect on these organs and body parts. Present findings are in line with the results of Mulla et al. (2003), they conducted experimental study on broiler chicks fed 2 % dried leaves of Subabul, Mulbery, Stylozanthus and observed nonsignificant difference in carcass characteristics except weight of lungs.
Carcass characteristics of broiler chicken fed tanniferous LMM containing diets
abcMeans with different superscripts within a row differ significantly (P<0.05)
However, weights of spleen and liver were significantly (P<0.000, P<0.026) higher in LMM supplemented groups as compared to un-supplemented T1 group. Spleen weight was found to be highest in T4 followed by T2, T3 and least spleen weight in T1 group. Liver weights (g) were significantly higher in T3, T4 compared to T1. Significantly higher weights as well size of spleen and liver (gram and %) were observed in T2, T3 and T4 groups as compared to T1 group because CT having immune stimulating property which might be provoke the size as well as weights of these lymphoid organs.
Dietary supplementation significantly reduced abdominal fat content in T4 compared to T1, while, T2 and T3 have an intermediate values between T1 and T4 groups. Present results are in accordance with findings of Hafeni (2013), who also reported low abdominal fat content when fed A. karroo leaf meal diet containing 5 g/kg of CT in Cobb 500 broiler chickens. Thigh weight (g) showed statistically non-significant difference among all four groups but it was comparatively (P<0.087) higher in T1 than that of T4, while T2 and T3 have an intermediate position between T1 and T4 when expressed in percent of live weight. Breast weight in percent of live weight was significantly higher in T3 as compared to T4, whereas T1 and T2 have an intermediate values between T3 and T4. Similarly, Shafey et al. (2013) reported that the replacement of 15 and 30 g wheat bran/kg with Olive leaves, respectively in starter and finisher broiler diets produces no significant effect on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. The replacement of higher levels of olive leaves reduced carcass eviscerated weight and increased intestinal weight and length.
The presence of CT has been associated with reduced carcass fat in ruminant animals (Purchase and Keogh, 1984; Terrill et al., 1992). A possible explanation for this reduction of fatness has been suggested by Barry et al. (1986) who found a lower level of growth hormone (GH) in lambs when diets were sprayed with Polyethylene glycol. Growth hormone increase N retention and reduce fat deposition, with an increase in fat turn over. The reason for the higher level in plasma GH has been explained with a possible inactivation of gut wall proteins by CT.
Economic of broiler chickens
The economics of broiler chicken fed with and without CT containing LMM supplemented diets has been presented in the Table 3. At the end of feeding trial of 42 days, significantly (P<0.05) higher total body weight (kg) was observed in T1 and T2 groups as compared to T4 group, while total body weight of T3 group has an intermediate value between T1, T2 and T4 groups. However, LMM supplementation significantly (P<0.05) reduced total feed intake (kg), feed cost (+) per kg diet and total feed cost (Rs.) per bird in T2, T3 and T4 group as compared to unsupplemented T1 group. Present findings disagreed with the results of Esonu et al. (2003), but agree with the reports of Nworgu et al. (2003), who observed a decrease in feed intake when broiler finisher were fed diets containing graded levels of Mimosa invisa leaf meal. As the level of LMM supplementation increased the total feed intake, feed cost per kg diet and total feed cost per bird decreased significantly (P<0.05).
Economics of broiler chicken fed with and without CT containing LMM supplemented diets
Particulars
Groups
T1
T2
T3
T4
Body weight of day old chick
43.06
42.93
42.42
42.96
(g)
Total body weight (kg)
1.92b
1.89b
1.81ab
1.74a
Total feed intake (kg)
4.02c
3.92b
3.87b
3.68a
Feed cost (Rs.) / kg diet
28.82b
28.42b
28.02ab
27.62a
Total feed cost (Rs.)/ bird
115.86c
111.41bc
108.44b
101.64a
Cost of chicks (Rs.)
15.00
15.00
15.00
15.00
Bird selling rate (Rs.) / kg
85.00
85.00
85.00
85.00
Revenue Rs. / bird
163.2c
160.65c
153.85b
147.90a
Investment Rs. / bird
130.86c
126.41bc
123.44b
116.64a
Net return/ profit (Rs.) / bird
32.34ab
34.24b
30.41a
31.26a
abcMeans with different superscripts within a row differ significantly (P<0.05).
Effect of tanniferous LMM supplementation on body weight changes of broiler chickens
The degree of reduction in the cost of total feed consumed at the end of feeding trial of 42 days was proportional to the amount of LMM in broiler diets. The price of day old chick was + 15 per chick and the selling price of bird at the end of feeding trial of 42 days was + 85 per kg bird. Furthermore, revenue generated in + per bird as well as investment in + per bird were significantly (P<0.05) lower in LMM supplemented (T2, T3 and T4) groups than that of un-supplemented (T1) group. However, the highest net return or profit (Rs.) per bird was recorded in the broilers fed 2.5% LMM supplemented diet (T2 group), followed by those fed with un-supplemented control diet (0% LMM; T1 group), while the least was on the birds fed with 5 and 7.5% LMM supplemented diets in T3 and T4 groups, respectively.
Present results are in line with the observations reported by Nworgu and Egbunike (2000). The net return or net profit made in the present study ranged from + 30.41 to 34.24 per bird. The highest profit in 2.5 percent LMM supplemented T2 group is an indication of good quality diet which led to improved productive performance of broiler chicken. The benefit cost ratio followed a similar trend among all groups, it varied from 1.25:1 in T1 and T3 groups fed 0 and 5 percent LMM supplemented diets to 1.27:1 in birds fed 2.5 and 7.5 percent LMM supplemented diets of T2 and T4 groups, respectively. Study indicated that LMM supplementation is cost effective in the replacement of maize in broiler feed without deleterious effect on performance.
Conclusion
It was concluded that broiler chickens consumed less feed supplemented with E. jambolana and P. guajava LMM. Hence, LMM utilization in broiler diet could be adopted when the motive is production of economically viable broiler meat with low abdominal fat deposit. Thus, LMM is cost effective, environment friendly, partial replacer of maize in broiler diets.
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