Development of Feed Additives Using Spondias Leaves and its Effects on Growth Performance and Meat Quality in Broiler

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of Spondias tree leaves with or without fermentation using beneficial bacteria on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and blood parameters in broiler. A total of 120 day old Ross 308 unsexed broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five dietary treatment groups: T0 = Control (basal diet), T1: dry leaves (basal diet + 0.5% on DM basis), T2: dry leaves (basal diet + 1.0% on DM basis), T3: fermented leaves (basal diet + 0.5% on DM basis) and T4: fermented leaves (basal diet + 1.0% on DM basis). Each treatment group consist 3 replications having 8 birds in a completely randomized design for 28 days trial period. Results indicated that, weekly average weight gain increased significantly (p<0.05) at 3rd and 4th week of age of broiler in all treatment groups while increased in T4 group at 4th week of age as compared to control. A reduced feed intake of broiler was observed in T4 group at 3rd week (p<0.05). FCR was reduced in all treatment groups at 2nd, 3rd and 4 weeks than the control (p<0.05). A significant increased in blood HDL level while decreased LDL and total cholesterol in all treatments compared to control (p<0.05). Considering meat quality, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE) and ashes were increased singnificantly in all treatment groups compared to control (p<0.05). The highest mean of live weight, breast meat percentage increased respectively in T2 group while spleen weight is higher in T2 and T1 among group of birds. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of Spondias tree leaves with or without fermentation increased weekly weight gain, better FCR, increased CP, EE, total ashes and blood HDL level. On the other hand, it reduced blood LDL and total cholesterol level. Therefore, Spondias tree leaves can be used as effective feed additives in broiler diet.