Effect of Dietary Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus) on Broiler Chicks Performance

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of decorticated Hyacinth bean on the performance of broiler chicks and some blood parameters. One hundred and twenty eight one day old unsexed broiler chicks (Hubbard) were used, chicks were divided into four groups with four replicates of 8 birds / replicate, the birds were fed on 4 experimental diets, with varying levels of Hyacinth bean (0, 5, 10, and 15%).the diet were formulated to meet the nutrients requirements according to NRC (1994), diets were iso-caloric and isonitrogenous. complete randomized design was used. Feed and water were provided ad libitum, feed intake and body weight were weekly recorded, weight gain and FCR were calculated, the experiment lasted for 7 weeks. At four week of age, two birds were selected randomly from each replicate, and were slaughtered and allowed to bleed to collected serum, serum was analyzed (total protein, inorganic phosphorus and calcium) and right tibia were removed for use to determine bone ash. The results of the experiment indicated that dietary treatments had significant (P< 0.01) effect on feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Inclusion of Hyacinth bean in broiler diets resulted in reduction in feed intake and weight gain. Moreover, the treatments had no effect on dressing percentage. Rickets occurred in 12.5%the birds fed 10 and 15% Hyacinth bean Supplementation of Hyacinth bean in broiler diets had no significant (P>0.05) effect on serum calcium and total serum protein. However, the treatment had significantly decrease (P<0.01) serum phosphorus and bone ash. The results of recovery period indicated that birds fed previously Hyacinth bean had improved in feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR).