Performance characteristics of broiler chickens fed varying levels of fresh waterleaf (Talinum triangulare)
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Abstract
Background and Objective: Continuous attempts have been made to reduce the cost of feed in broiler production by using unconventional feed resources. However, there is a paucity of information on the use of fresh waterleaf (Talinum triangulare) as a potential source of feed ingredients. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the performance of broiler birds fed varying levels of waterleaf.
Methodology: In a six-week study, waterleaf (T1: 0 g/kg, T2: 5 g/kg, and T3: 10 g/kg) was added to a basal diet formulated to meet the requirements of the broiler chicken. One hundred and fifty (150) day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly allotted to the three dietary treatments with five replicates per treatment and 10 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment.
Main Results: Values obtained from the proximate composition of the diets were not significant (P > 0.05) influenced by the dietary addition of the waterleaf, except for crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and metabolizable energy (ME) which all increased with the addition of waterleaf. The highest values of CP (21.43 ± 0.41%), CF (3.52 ± 0.02%), and ME (3,085.03 ± 8.47 kcal/kg) were recorded in diet T3. Performance parameters (weeks 1–3) were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced except for the initial weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR). However, birds fed diet T1 had the best weight gain (590.86 ± 3.44 g) and total feed intake (973.34 ± 11.10 g). The weight gain, daily weight gain, and final weight of birds fed diet T2 and T3 were statistically the same for weeks 1–6 but higher than those on diet T1, with the best FCR (1.67 ± 0.02) from birds fed diet T2.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that waterleaf has the potential to improve bird growth performance and FCR and could be considered a promising feed ingredient in broiler production. Therefore, it could be recommended that broiler farmers incorporate 5 g/kg of waterleaf in the diet of their broiler chickens for optimal growth and performance.
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