EVALUATION OF SICKLE POD (Cassia obtusifolia) LEAF MEAL ON THE PERFORMANCE, CARCASS AND INTERNAL ORGANS CHARACTERISTICS AND BLOOD PROFILE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The growing human population has led to an increased demand for animal-based food products, particularly meat. One potential solution to this problem is to increase the production and consumption of poultry and poultry products. However, the high cost of feed resources remains a significant obstacle, leading to the exploration of alternative feed ingredients such as Cassia obtusi folia leaf meal (COLM). This study evaluated the effect of feeding varying levels of Cassia obtusifolia leaf meal (COLM) on the growth performance, carcass and internal organ characteristics and haematological parameters and serum biochemical indices of broiler chickens. A total of 200dayold broiler chicks were randomly allottedto five dietary treatments with COLM included at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, haematological parameters and serum biochemical indices were measured. Inclusion of COLM up to 20% in broiler starter diets did not significantly affect growth performance, but improved feed conversion ratio at the 10% and 20% inclusion levels. In the broiler finisher phase, inclusion of COLM up to 20% did not affect growth performance, but there was an increasein feed intake at the higher inclusion levels (5%, 15%, 20%). Carcass characteristics and internal organ weights were not significantly affected by COLM inclusion up to 20%, except for increased relative weights of the lungs, liver, and pancreas. Higher inclusion levels of COLM (20%) had some negative impacts on hematological parameters like RBC, Hb, and WBC, as well as increased serum urea levels, suggesting potential adverse effects of anti-nutritional factors at these levels.COLM can be included in broilers diets up to 15% level of inclusion.