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Nutritional Evaluation of Raw Anthonotha Macrophylla Seed Meal as a Replacement For Soybean Meal In The Diet Of Broiler Chickens
The objective of this study was to develop a high quality animal protein at reduced cost through the use of alternative feedstuffs (e.g. Anthonotha macrophylla ). One hundred and twenty day-old Marshal broiler chicks were used to assess the quantitative replacement of soybean meal with raw Anthonotha macrophylla seed meal. Ten birds per treatment were replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. Diet one was soybean-based (control), while the test feedstuff (Anthonotha macrophylla) quantitatively replaced 5, 10 and 15% soybean in diets 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Feed and water were given ad libitum for 56 days. The crude protein (27.74%) and gross energy values (4.69Kcal/g) makes it a potential feedstuff. It contains anti-nutritional factors namely: phytate (0.43%), tannin (0.06%), hydrogen cyanide (13.71mg/kg) and nitrate (0.14%). For growth performance, there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the treatment means for all the parameters measured, except initial weight. The final weight, weight gain/bird, weight gain/bird/day supported diet 2. The feed conversion ratio also favoured diet 2 (2.93) among others(diet 1- 2.96, diet 3- 3.07 and diet 4- 4.14). For cut-parts, there were significant differences (P<0.05) for all parameters measured, with diet 2 comparing favourably with the control diet (diet 1). All the organ weight parameters showed no significant difference (P>0.05). The haematological parameters measured were within the normal range established for broiler chickens except for monocytes in all the diets and lymphocytes and neutrophils for diets 3 and 4 respectively. For serum chemistry, diets 1, 2, and 3 fall within the normal range established for broiler chickens for albumin and globulin while for alkaline phosphatase, all the diets fall within the normal range established for broiler chickens. Considering the economics of the diet, diet 2 had the least cost/kg weight gain, highest revenue and gross margin, making diet 2 an economically viable diet. Diet 2 enhanced a high quality animal protein production at reduced cost. This will lead to an increase in animal protein intake globally. It is therefore recommended.
Keywords: Nutritional, Evaluation, Antonotha macrophylla, soybean, Chickens.