Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding supplemental levels of Vernonia Amygdalina leaf meal (VLM) on broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty day-old Marshall broiler chickens were used. The birds were randomly assigned into five dietary treatments with 10 birds per replicate in completely randomized design. VLM was added at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 9g/kg to basal diets compounded for both starter and finisher phases. The level of supplementation (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 9g/kg) was designated as A1 (control), A2, A3, A4 and A5, respectively. The result of the growth performance revealed an inverse relationship between feed intake, weight gain, and final weights with the inclusion of VLM. These parameters exhibited significant differences (P<0.05) across the various dietary treatments. Notably, similar values (P>0.05) were observed for the Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) between broiler chickens fed control diet A1 (0g/kgVLM), A2 (2.5g/kgVLM) and A3 (5g/kgVLM). Conversely, birds fed A4 (7.5g/kgVLM) and A5 (9g/kgVLM displayed the poorest FCR. The hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and Red Blood Cell (RBC) levels were similar across the dietary treatments (P > 0.05), although they numerically increased as levels of VLM increased in the diets. However, the Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and total White Blood Cell (WBC) count significantly increased. Serum cholesterol, glucose levels of birds fed VLM significantly (P<0.05) reduced with increasing levels of VLM supplementation.it was concluded from the study that supplementing broiler chickens with VLM up-to 5g/kg had no adverse effect on the performance, as well as reduced the total cholesterol, LDL and glucose levels of broiler chickens.5g/kg is therefore recommended for broiler chickens.