American Journal of Experimental Agriculture

3(3): 506-519, 2013

SCIENCEDOMAIN international
www.sciencedomain.org

Nutritional Potential of Centrosema pubescens

Mimosa invisa and Pueraria phaseoloides Leaf
Meals on Growth Performance Responses of
Broiler Chickens
F. C. Nworgu1* and G. N. Egbunike2
1
Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Institute of Agricultural
Research and Training. PMB 5029 Ibadan, Nigeria
2
Animal Physiology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science. University of Ibadan, Ibadan,
Nigeria.

Authors’ contributions

This work was carried out in collaboration between authors FCN and GNE. Author FCN
designed the study, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol, and wrote the first
draft of the manuscript. Author GNE managed the analyses of the study and managed the
literature searches. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

th
Received 28 December 2012
th
Research Article Accepted 8 March 2013
rd
Published 3 May 2013

ABSTRACT

Aims: The objective of this study was to access the growth responses of chickens fed
different leaf meal supplements.
Study Design: The experimental design used was completely randomized design for the
chicks and completely randomized block design for the growing pullets and cockerels.
Place and Duration of Study: The experiments were carried out at Bora Poultry Unit of
Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Institute of Agricultural
Research and Training (IAR&T) Ibadan, Nigeria. The experiments were carried out
between the years 2004 to 2009.
Methodology: Nutritive potentials of Centrosema pubescens, Mimosa invisa and Pueraria
phaseoloides leaf meals (LM) were determined and evaluated using different types of
chicken within the years 2004-2009. The diets were formulated to contain 0,20/25, 30/40,
60/75 and 80/90g LM/kg feed and 120 to 150 birds were used in each experiment. Each
treatment was replicated three times. All ingredients in each experiment were of constant
____________________________________________________________________________________________

*Corresponding author: Email: fcnworgu@yahoo.com;

 American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 3(3): 506-519, 2013

weight, except the soybean and groundnut cake which test ingredients replaced some
percentages weight for weight. Data on feed intake and weight gain were subjected to one-
way ANOVA and comparisons were made using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.
Results: Results revealed that the LM are rich in crude protein (21.36-23.34%) and ash
(4.25 – 9.14%). The most available mineral elements were potassium (0.45-1.85%) and
calcium (0.60 – 1.726%). The concentration of tannin was highest in the LM (1.57-
3.35g/100gDM) unlike oxalate (0.037-0.065g/100gDM). The poorest LM in terms of
nutritive value and chicken performance was Mimosa invisa leaf meal (MLM), while the
best was Centrosema pubescens leaf meal (CLM). Inclusion of 40 – 60gCLM/kg feed for
Black Nera chicks and finisher pullets and 75gCLM/kg feed for broiler starters and finishers
resulted to significant (P<0.05) reduction in feed intake and weight gain. Feed intake and
weight gain of broiler starters and finishers and cockerel growers fed 20 – 60gMLM/kg feed
supplements significantly (P<0.05) and progressively decreased with increased dietary
concentration of MLM supplement. Broiler starters and finishers fed 30-90PLM/kg feed had
increased feed intake, which was progressive, unlike their weight gain which depressed
significantly (P<0.05) with increased concentration of Pueraria phaseoloids leaf meal
(PLM).
Conclusion: Hence, 20 and 25g CLM/kg feed is recommended for pullet chicks/growing
pullets and broiler chicken, respectively, while PLM and MLM are not recommended, for
chicken nutrition due to depression in growth rate.

Keywords: Nutritive potential; legume leaf meal; growth responses; chicken.

1. INTRODUCTION

The rising cost of poultry feeds has continued to be a major problem in poultry industry in
developing countries, as feed cost is about 65 to 70% of the total cost of production [1]
compared to 50 to 65% in the developed countries [2]. High cost of conventional protein
sources has necessitated the use of leaf meal supplements in poultry production. These leaf
meals are readily available and cheaper than the conventional protein sources. Leaf meal
supplements have been included into the diets of poultry as a means of reducing the high
cost of conventional protein sources and to improve profit margin [3,4,5,6]. The importance
of legume leaf meals in poultry has been recognized by farmers because of their relatively
high content of proteins, some minerals and vitamins [3,7]. [10] indicated that a distinguished
feature of tropical legumes in comparism with their temperate counterparts is the occurrence
of a diverse array of non-protein amino acids in sufficient concentrations to precipitate
adverse effects in farm animals.

Different leaf meals have been incorporated into poultry diets, incuding those of
Leucaenaleucocephal [9], Cnidoscolusaconitifolius [10], Manihotesculenta [11,12],
Centrosema pubescens [13,7], Microdemispuberula [14] among others. [34] recommended
dietary addition of 5% of Leucaenaleucocephala leaf meal (LLLM) for improvement of body
weight gain in chicks. [41] reported that dietary inclusion of LLLM more that (50g/Kg) caused
reduced growth of broiler chicken and low egg production. [25] reported that 2.5% MLM
reduced weight gain, while 7.5% significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed intake. [22] reported
reduction in feed intake when broiler chickens were fed 15% Centrosema pubescens leaf
meal (493.88g/bird) compared to 529.00, 532.51 and 516.40g/bird at 0.0, 5.0 and 10.0%,
respectively. Hence, the objective of this study was to access the growth responses of
chickens fed different leaf meal supplements.

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weight, except the soybean and groundnut cake which test ingredients replaced some
percentages weight for weight. Data on feed intake and weight gain were subjected to one-
way ANOVA and comparisons were made using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test.
Results: Results revealed that the LM are rich in crude protein (21.36-23.34%) and ash
(4.25 – 9.14%). The most available mineral elements were potassium (0.45-1.85%) and
calcium (0.60 – 1.726%). The concentration of tannin was highest in the LM (1.57-
3.35g/100gDM) unlike oxalate (0.037-0.065g/100gDM). The poorest LM in terms of
nutritive value and chicken performance was Mimosa invisa leaf meal (MLM), while the
best was Centrosema pubescens leaf meal (CLM). Inclusion of 40 – 60gCLM/kg feed for
Black Nera chicks and finisher pullets and 75gCLM/kg feed for broiler starters and finishers
resulted to significant (P<0.05) reduction in feed intake and weight gain. Feed intake and
weight gain of broiler starters and finishers and cockerel growers fed 20 – 60gMLM/kg feed
supplements significantly (P<0.05) and progressively decreased with increased dietary
concentration of MLM supplement. Broiler starters and finishers fed 30-90PLM/kg feed had
increased feed intake, which was progressive, unlike their weight gain which depressed
significantly (P<0.05) with increased concentration of Pueraria phaseoloids leaf meal
(PLM).
Conclusion: Hence, 20 and 25g CLM/kg feed is recommended for pullet chicks/growing
pullets and broiler chicken, respectively, while PLM and MLM are not recommended, for
chicken nutrition due to depression in growth rate.

Keywords: Nutritive potential; legume leaf meal; growth responses; chicken.

1. INTRODUCTION

The rising cost of poultry feeds has continued to be a major problem in poultry industry in
developing countries, as feed cost is about 65 to 70% of the total cost of production [1]
compared to 50 to 65% in the developed countries [2]. High cost of conventional protein
sources has necessitated the use of leaf meal supplements in poultry production. These leaf
meals are readily available and cheaper than the conventional protein sources. Leaf meal
supplements have been included into the diets of poultry as a means of reducing the high
cost of conventional protein sources and to improve profit margin [3,4,5,6]. The importance
of legume leaf meals in poultry has been recognized by farmers because of their relatively
high content of proteins, some minerals and vitamins [3,7]. [10] indicated that a distinguished
feature of tropical legumes in comparism with their temperate counterparts is the occurrence
of a diverse array of non-protein amino acids in sufficient concentrations to precipitate
adverse effects in farm animals.

Different leaf meals have been incorporated into poultry diets, incuding those of
Leucaenaleucocephal [9], Cnidoscolusaconitifolius [10], Manihotesculenta [11,12],
Centrosema pubescens [13,7], Microdemispuberula [14] among others. [34] recommended
dietary addition of 5% of Leucaenaleucocephala leaf meal (LLLM) for improvement of body
weight gain in chicks. [41] reported that dietary inclusion of LLLM more that (50g/Kg) caused
reduced growth of broiler chicken and low egg production. [25] reported that 2.5% MLM
reduced weight gain, while 7.5% significantly (P<0.05) reduced feed intake. [22] reported
reduction in feed intake when broiler chickens were fed 15% Centrosema pubescens leaf
meal (493.88g/bird) compared to 529.00, 532.51 and 516.40g/bird at 0.0, 5.0 and 10.0%,
respectively. Hence, the objective of this study was to access the growth responses of
chickens fed different leaf meal supplements.

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2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiments were carried out at Bora Poultry Unit of Federal College of Animal Health
and Production Technology, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) Ibadan,
Nigeria. The experiments were carried out between the years 2004 to 2009 with the mean
annual rainfall of 1398mm and mean monthly temperature of 22.71ºC and average monthly
relative humidity of 75.54%. A total of 120 to 150 birds were used in each experiment.
Tender leaves of Centrosema pubescens, Mimosa invisa and Puerariaphaseoloides were
harvested from and around the paddocks in IAR&T. The leaves were detached from the
vines/stems and were air and sun-dried for 2-3 days to a moisture content of about 12% (4).
The dried leaves were milled/ground using a hammer mill with a sieve/screen size of 2.0-
3.0mm. Samples of the leaf meals were collected for proximate and chemical analyses,
while some were incorporated into the diets. Diets A,B,C, D and E contained 0,20/25, 30/40,
60/75 and 80/90g/kg feed of each forage meal, respectively.

The Black Nera chicks and growing pullets fed Centrosema pubescens (CEP) leaf meal
supplement had four treatments each which contained 0, 20, 40 and 60g/kg CEP. The
broiler starters and finisher fed Centrosema pubescens (CEP) leaf meal supplement had
four treatments each which contained 0, 25, 50 and 75g/kg CEP. The Cockerel chicks fed
Mimosa invisa (MIS) were placed on four treatments (0, 20, 40 and 60g/kg MIS), while
cockerel growers were placed on three treatments (0, 30, and 60g/kg MIS). However, broiler
starters and finishers which were fed MIS had four (0,20, 40 and 60 treatments, respectively.
The broiler starters and finishers placed on Pueraria phaseoloides supplement (PPS)
experiments had four (0, 30, 60 and 90g/kg) treatments in each phase. Treatment o in all the
experiments served as control. Each treatment in the above experiment were replicated
three times.

The diets were formulated according to [23] and [3] and ingredients were constant, except
the test ingredient (the leaf meal), soybean meal and groundnut cake. The test ingredient
replaced some percentages of soybean and groundnut cake in each experiment weight for
weight. Gross composition of control diets is presented in Table 1. The birds were randomly
allotted to the aforementioned dietary treatments in each experiment. Each treatment was
replicated three times in a completely randomized design, but for growing pullets/pullet
finishers and cockerel finishers, completely randomized block design was used. Data on
feed intake were taken on daily basis, while weight gains were taken on weekly basis.
Routine management practices and medication were taken as and when due.

Proximate and mineral composition of the test ingredients were determined by the
procedures of [5] and proximate composition of the diets was determined by the methods of
[2], while their metabolisable energy (ME) was determined by the methods of outlined by [6].
Gross energy of the test ingredients was estimated by the method of [1]. Phytate was
determined by the technique of [16], while tannin was evaluated by the method outlined [15]
and oxalate by the procedures of [45].

Data on feed intake feed, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were subjected to one-way
ANOVA analysis of variance procedure of [40]. Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (28) was used
in assessing the significant differences among the treatments.

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3. RESULTS

The results revealed that the leaf meals (LM) studied are rich in crude protein (CP). The
crude fibre (CF) contents of these LM are moderate, most especially for C. pubescent leaf
meal (CLM), while P. phaseoloides leaf meal (PLM) is very high in CF (Table 2). The CLM
and PLM are rich in ash, while M. invisa leaf meal (MLM) is very low in ash. The CLM and
MLM are rich in calcium, potassium and phosphorus. The PLM had the least calcium and
potassium. The LM have moderate concentrations of magnesium and sodium, while the
concentration of phosphorus in the PLM is the lowest. The concentrations of zinc and iron of
the LM are moderate. The concentrations of oxalate, phytate and tannin in these LM are
presented in Table 2. The most available anti-nutritional factor was tannin.

Feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratios of Black Nera chicks, Black Nera
growing pullets, broiler starters and finishers fed graded levels of Centrosema pubescens
leaf meal were significant (P<0.05) (Table 3). Dietary inclusion of 2 to 6% CLM supplements
for Black Nera chicks resulted to increased feed intake and depression in both weight gain
and feed conversion ratio compared to the birds placed on control diet. However, the best
performance for Black Nera growing pullets in terms of weight gain was observed on the
birds placed on 2% CLM, which also had elevated feed intake. Dietary inclusion of 2.5 to
5.0% CLM for broiler starters and finishers resulted to elevated feed intake which depressed
at 7.5% (Table 3).

Inclusion of more than 20g/kg Mimosa invisa leaf meal to the diets of cockerel chicks
resulted to lower feed intake and depressed weight gain and feed conversion ratio (Table 4).
Similar scenario was observed for cockerel growers fed graded levels of Mimosa invisa leaf
meal. Dietary inclusion of Mimosa invasa leaf meal in broiler starters and finishers diets
resulted to significant (P<0.05) reduction in feed, weight gain and feed conversion ratio,
which were progressive. Broiler starters and finisher fed graded levels of Pueraria
phaseoloides leaf meal had reduced weight gain and feed conversion ratio which were
significant (P<0.05) and progressive compared to control (Table 5).

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Table 1. Gross composition of control diets

Ingredients% Pullet Growing Broiler Broiler Cockerel Cockerel Broiler Broiler Broiler Broiler
Chicks pullets chicks finishers chicks growers chicks finishers starters finishers
(0-6wks) (8-16wks) (1-5wks) (5-8wks) (0-9wks (10-18wks) (0-4wks) (4-8wks) (0-4kws) (4-8wks)
Centrosema pubescens Mimosa invasa Pureria phaseoloides
Maize 31.6 20.3 48.0 51.5 30.0 24.3 44.0 45.3 46.8 48.8
Corn bran 21.0 23.4 14.0 17.2 26.6 22.0 13.0 13.8 10.0 11.0
Palm kernel cake 12.0 21.0 - - 9.0 20.4 - - 5.2 5.2
Coca pod husk 8.5 9.5 - - 10.0 8.0 5.0 5.0 - -
Soybean meal 14.6 11.0 21.2 17.5 13.0 11.1 20.6 20.0 20.4 19.4
Groundnut cake 6.5 6.5 9.5 7.0 4.0 6.4 10.0 9.0 10.3 9.3
Leaf meal 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Fish meal 2.0 3.5 4.0 3.0 4.2 3.5 4.0 3.5 4.0 3.0
Bone meal 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.0 2.3 3.5 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5
Oyster shell 1.0 1.5 - - - - - - - -
Salt 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Vitamin-mineral premix*,+ 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3
Lysine 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
Methionine 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Calculated analysis
Crude protein(%) 19.0 18.9 22.0 18.8 18.7 20.3 22.0 21.2 22.6 21.3
Crude fibre(%) 6.9 8.8 4.5 4.4 6.8 7.6 5.4 5.4 4.3 4.4
Metabolisable energy (Kcal/kg) 2640 2526 2936 2966 2646 2436 2882 2889 2909 2932
Determined analysis
Crude protein (%) 20.5 20.7 22.6 20.1 19.2 18.9 22.2 20.0 23.6 23.6
Crude fibre (%) 8.2 6.9 4.6 4.6 6.8 7.6 5.0 4.6 3.8 3.9
Metabolisable energy (Kcal/kg) 2740 2700 3100 3195 2700 2500 3001 3004 3000 3012
*Vitamin-mineral premix provides per kg of diet: Vit A=10000in, Vit D3= 1500iu;Vit E=3iu,Vit B12=0.08mg;Vit.K=2mg;Ribofl=3mgProduction acid=6mg; Niacin=15mg;
chlorine=3mg;Folic acid=4mg, Mn=8mg,Zn=0.5mg;iodine=1.0mg;Co=1.2mg;Cu=10mg and Fe=20mg.
+Vit.-mineral premix provides per kg diet: Vit A=12,500, 000iu, Vit D3=2,500,000iu; Vit E=25,000iu; Vit.K = 2.00mg; Vit. B1=2.00mg; Cu=6.00mg; Fe=40.00mg; iodine=1.00mg;
Cobalt-0.2mg; Selenium =0.15mg; Choline chloride = 500.00mg.
• For cockerels and pullet chicks/growers
+For broiler starters/finishers.

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Table 2. Proximate chemical composition of experimental test ingredients (% DM Basis)

Experiment test ingredients

Fraction Centrosema leaf meal Mimosa leaf meal Pueraria leaf meal
Dry mater 88.99 89.99 89.90
Crude protein 23.24 23.34 21.36
Crude fibre 8.80 11.29 21.52
Ether extract 3.32 2.38 3.20
Ash 9.14 4.25 8.00
Nitrogen free extract (NFE) 55.50 58.74 45.92
Calcium 1.22 1.26 0.60
Potassium 1.85 1.60 0.45
Phosphorus 0.54 0.38 0.12
Magnesium 0.30 0.24 0.28
Sodium 0.17 0.15 0.11
Zinc (mg/kg/DM) 40.01 40.00 20.00
Iron (mg/kgDM) 20.01 10.11 80.10
Oxalate (g/100g DM) 0.037 0.065 0.060
Phytate (g/100g DM) 0.48 0.37 0.32
Tannin (g/100g DM) 2.81 1.57 3.35
Gross energy (kcal/kg)* 4354 4628 4419
Estimated by AFRC

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Table 3. Feed intake and growth responses of chickens fed graded levels of Centrosema pubescens leaf meal

Dietary level of leaf meal (g/kg)

Source of leaf meal Type of chicken 0 20 25 40 50 60 75 SEM
Feed intake and weight gain (g/bird)
d a c b
Centrosema Black Nera chicks 964 1010 - 984 - 998 - 3.3
a b d c
Pubescens (0-6 wks) 339 285 234 248 4.1
Black Nera growing
b a d
pullets/finisher 6469 6658 - 6093 - 6199c - 1.8
c a b
pullet (8-16wks) 699 740 719 734ab 5.8
-
b a a b
Broiler 2300 - 2420 - 2410 2260 12.2
c ab b
chicks/starters 1009 1369a 1285 1238 27.7
(1-5 wks)
a a a b
Broiler Finishers 3210 - 3100 - 3200 - 2860 30.9
b a a c
(5-8 weeks) 792 1001 985 562 24.0

Feed conversion ratio

Black Nera chicks
c b a a
(0-6wks) 2.81 3.51 - 4.20 - 4.00 - 0.11
a ab b b
Black Nera growing 9.31 9.00 - 8.50 - 8.41 - 0.51
pullets/finisher
pullets
(8-16wks)
-
a b b b
Broiler chicks/starter 2.31 - 1.81 1.90 - 1.80 0.07
(1-5 wks)

Broiler finisher s - -
b d c a
(5-8 wks) 4.10 - 3.10 3.31 5.10 0.17
abcd: Means with different superscripts on the same horizontal row differ significantly(P<0.05),WKS=weeks Numerator = Feed intake; Denominator
= Weight gain

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Table 4. Feed intake and growth responses of chickens fed graded levels of Mimosa invisa leaf meal

Dietary level of leaf meal (g/kg)

Source of leaf meal Type of chicken 0 20 30 40 60 SEM
Feed intake and weigh gain (g/kg)
Mimosa invisa Cockerel chicks
c a d b
(0-9wks) 2908 3142 - 2706 3082 3.0
d a c b
517 644 553 588 3.5
a b c
Cockerel growers/ 8800 - 8783 - 8166 3.3
a b c
finisher (10-18weeks) 1058 853 820 15.7
a b d c
Broiler chicks 1282 1235 - 1174 1204 1.6
a b b bc
(0-4 wks) 538 504 505 403 5.5
a b d
Broiler finisher g/bird 3741 3642 - 3371 - 2.0
a b c
(4-8 wks) 659 413 400 3.0

Feed conversion ratio

a c b b
Cockerel chicks 5.61 4.90 - 5.10 5.20 0.09
(0-9wks)
b a
Broiler chicks(0-4 wks) 8.30 - 10.30 - 10.00 0.82
b b b a
Broiler finisher (4-8wks) 2.40 2.51 - 2.30 3.00 0.03
a b b b
Broiler finisher (0-4 wks) 5.91 8.80 - 8.41 8.60 0.05
Abcd: means with different superscripts on the same horizontal row differ significantly (p<0.05);
WKS = Weeks; Numerator = Feed in take; Denomminator = Weight gain

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Table 5. Feed intake and growth responses of chickens fed graded levels of Pueraria phaseoloides leaf meal

Dietary level of leaf meal (g/kg)

Source of lead meal Type of chicken 0 30 60 90 SEM
Feed intake and weight gain
b b a a
Pueraria phaseloides Broiler starter(0-4 wks) 1202 1122 1234 1246 0.7
a b c d
536 479 453 399 0.7
d c a b
Broiler finisher (4-8 wks) 4306 4387 4492 4446 0.7
a b c d
1466 1370 1354 1341 0.6

Feed conversion ratio

c c b a
Broiler starter (0-4 wks) 2.20 2.30 2.70 3.10 0.22
b a a a
Broiler finisher (4-8 wks) 2.90 3.20 3.30 3.30 0.24
abcd: Means with different superscripts on the same horizontal row differ significantly (P<0.05)
Numerator =Feed intake; Denominator= Weight gain; WKS = Weeks.

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4. DISCUSSION

The leaf meals (LM) studied are moderate in crude fibre (CF), except PLM. The relatively
high CP and low CF with high concentration of ash will necessitate the use of CLM and PLM
as protein and mineral supplements in chicken production. [4] revealed that some tropical
legumes have higher nutritive value and that the availability of the component amino acids in
the small intestine would be more when the leguimous forage materials are fed dried than
when fresh. The CP value of CLM in this study is higher than the report of [4], but similar to
that of [24] (19.6%) and [37] (21.4%). [49] reported that C. pubescens contained 20.0% CP,
with CF of 30.0%, while [28] noted that C. pubescens harvested at 12 weeks after planting
contained 18.70% CP, 11.80%CF,6.98% ash and other extract of 4.42%. [9] highlighted that
M. invisa leaves contained 16.2 and 37.2% of CP and CF, respectively. The gross energy
(GE) of the LM was 4354, 4419 and 4628Kcal/kg, for CLM, PLM and MLM, respectively.
These values are in harmony with the reports of [44] who reported that tropical legumes
have GE of 4326-4802KcalKg. [37] reported that GE of CLM was 3885Kcal/kg, while that of
PLM was 3872Kcal/kg. The variations in the CP,CF GE and EE could be attributed to the
age of cutting, climatic conditions, methods of processing and analyses. Concentrations of
calcium and potassium which were highest in the CLM and MLM are in line with the
submission of [4] who stated that calcium, potassium and sodium were the most available
mineral elements in forage meals. Calcium and phosphorus concentrations for CLM in this
study are higher than that reported by [37] whose value were 0.72 and 0.23% for calcium
and phosphorus, respectively, but they are in harmony with the reports of [14,17] who
reported 0.78 – 1.36% for calcium and 0.13-0.45% for phosphorus. [21] reported that MLM
contained 0.14% phosphorus which is lower than reported in this study. The report of [9] on
the calcium content of MLM (1.10%) is slightly lower than reported here (1.26%). The
calcium content of PLM in this study is relatively lower than the results of [21,44,18] (0.36 –
1.72%). The values of phosphorus and magnesium reported in this study are lower than the
values of [18].

The diets for the chickens met the nutritional requirements of the birds are in line with
standards of [23]. Dietary inclusion of Centrosema pubscens meal in the diets of broilers,
cockerel chicks/finishers and pullet chicks/growers significantly (P<0.05) resulted to reduced
feed intake unlike the broilers fed graded levels of Pueraria phaseoloides leaf meal (PLM).
At both phases, feed intake of broilers fed 30-90PLM/kg feed increased with increased
dietary inclusion of PLM supplements. This observation for the broilers fed PLM
supplements is contrary to the submission of [26,12,48]. The increased feed intake for the
broiler fed PLM supplements is associated with the lightweight of the PLM leaf meal and its
lower energy. However, the weight gain of the broilers fed PLM supplements significantly
(P<0.05) and progressively decreased with increased dietary concentrions of PLM. This
observation is not in line with the reports of [22,35,32].

Dietary inclusion of 20-60kg Mimosa invisa leaf meal (MLM) in cockerel finishers, broiler
starters and finishers resulted to depressed weight gain and feed conversion ratio which
were significant (P<0.05) and progressive. Poor performance of these birds is attributed to
the presence of mimosine in the MLM [44], low acceptability [36] and poor digestibility [8].
These results are in harmony with the reports of [48], but contradict, the submission of [32].

Black Nera pullets tolerated the dietary inclusion of CLM in their diets more than the Black
Nera chicks, as they had improved growth rate. Inclusion of 2-6g CLM/kg feed in the diets of
the Black Nera chicks resulted to 15.93 – 30.90% depression in growth over control. This
result is contrary to the report of [35] who concluded that 50-100gCLM/kg feed resulted to

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elevation of weight gain. However, this result agrees with earlier observations that dietary
inclusion of leaf meal of L. leucocephala, (4and 8) and Alchornia cordifolic (46) depressed
feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Dietary inclusion of 25g CLM/kg feed for
broiler starters resulted to 26.34 and 9.60% increase in weight gain over control and 75g
CLM/kg feed, respectively. However, for broiler finishers, the increase in weight gain for
25gCLM/kg feed was 56.12% due to prolonged feeding, as the feeding was continuous from
starter to finisher phase (i.e. 7 weeks). These results are contrary to the reports of[35], but
agree with the submission of [31] when broiler chicks were fed graded leaves of
Tithoniadiversifolia and [7] who recommended 2% of L. leucocephala leaf meal for broiler
starters and 3% for chick starters. [8]recommended 25g Cindoscolusaconitifolius leaf meal
per kilogramme of feed for optimal chickens performances, while [25],[29] concluded that
25gMLM/kg feed was adequate for broiler chicks and finisher maximum performance.

5. CONCLUSION

The leaf meal (LM) studied are rich in crude protein (21.36 – 23.24%) and ash (4.25-9.14%).
The most available mineral elements were potassium (0.45-1.8%) and calcium (0.60-1.26%).
Centrosema pubescens leaf meal (CLM) is the most outstaniding in mineral profile, nutritive
value and chickens performance, while Mimosa invisa leaf meal (MLM) is the poorest.
Broiler starters/finishers, cockerel chicks/growers and pullet chicks/finishers tolerated the
CLM, CLM and PLM supplements differently. Dietary inclusion of 40-75g CLM/kg feed and
30-60 gMLM/kg feed resulted to depressed feed intake in the chickens, unlike the inclusion
of 30-90PLM/kg feed which improved feed intake. Dietary inclusion of 75g CLM/kg, 30-
60MLM/kg and 30 – 90PLM/kg feed resulted to depressed growth performance. For
improved performance and adequate growth rate, it is advisable to include 20gCLM/kg feed
in the diets of pullet chicks and growing pullets, while 25g CLM/kg feed is adequate for
broiler chicks and broiler finishers. However, it is not advisable to include MLM and PLM in
the diets of pullet chicks/growers, cockerel chicks/finishers and broiler chicks/finishers due to
poor growth rate.

COMPETING INTERESTS

Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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