Author/Authors :
Sese ، B. T. نويسنده Department of Fisheries / Livestock Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Niger Delta University, Island, Bayelsa State. , , Okpeku ، M. نويسنده Department of Fisheries / Livestock Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Niger Delta University, Island, Bayelsa State. , , George ، O. S. نويسنده Department of Animal Science and Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, P.M.B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. ,
Abstract :
The effect of feeding graded levels (0, 5, 10 and 15%) of mucuna utilis leaf meals (Velvet bean) to broiler chicks on organ weights, carcass characteristics and blood chemistry was investigated. One hundred and eighty (180) day-old unsexed Anak broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four treatments of 45 birds each, replicated four times with 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. All management procedures were observed. The experiment lasted for seven (7) weeks. In this study, final live weight of broilers had high values. Live weight and dead weight were not significantly (p > 0.05) different. However, the values of live and dead weight were better in broilers bird fed control diet. Weight of carcass cuts were not significantly (P > 0.05) different .Apart from the crop, all other internal organs and visceral were not significantly (p > 0.05) different. No significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed in almost all the parameters, except aspartate aminotransferance. The study has shown that mucuna utilis leaf meal has detrimental effect on the liver of broiler birds.
