Asian Research Journal of Agriculture

This study assessed the impact of varying levels of Tectona grandis leafmeal (TGLM) dietary supplementation on the performance of broiler chickens. A basal diet divided into four portions designated diet 1 (the control) and diets 2, 3 and 4 supplemented with 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6%, respectively. One hundred and forty four broiler chicks were randomly assigned to the four experimental diets (36 birds per diet; 9 birds per replicate) using a Completely Randomized Design. At the finisher phase the body weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the birds fed 0.2 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets was better (P<0.05) than those fed control diet and 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets. Serum cholesterol concentration was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the birds fed 0.4 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets compared to control diet. The catalase concentration in the birds fed 0.4 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets were (P<0.05) higher than those birds fed control diet and 0.2% TGLM supplemented diets while the glutathione peroxidase concentration in the birds fed 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets was higher (P<0.05) than those fed control diet, 0.2 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diet. The lipid peroxidation in the birds fed 0.6% TGLM supplemented diets was (P<0.05) significantly lower compared to the control diet, 0.2% and 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets. The live-weight of the birds fed 0.4 and 0.6% TGLM supplemented diet was higher (P<0.05) than those fed control diet and 0.2% TGLM supplemented diets. The colour score of birds fed 0.4% TGLM supplemented diets was higher (P<0.05) than those fed other diets. The overall acceptability score thigh meat of birds fed 0.4% TGLM supplemented diet was significantly (P<0.05) higher compared to other experimental diets. It was concluded that TGLM supplementation in this study has phytochemicals of health benefits and possess antioxidant properties.