GROWTH PERFORMANCE, ORGANS, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND MEAT QUALITY OF BROILER FED BITTER LEAF (Vernonia amygdalina) AND CATMINT (Nepeta racemosa) LEAF MEAL SUPPLEMENTS

Abstract

A 49 days study was conducted to examine the impact of Bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and Catmint leaf (Nepeta racemosa) meal supplement on performance, organ, carcass characteristics and meat quality of broiler from day old. 150 day old unsexed Abor-Acer broiler chicks were randomly allotted into five dietary treatments using completely randomized design experiment (CRD). Each treatment was replicated thrice with 10 chicks per replicate. Five experimental diets were formulated such that Diet 1 contained neither bitter leaf nor catmint leaf meal, diet 2 contained 5g of catmint leaf meal per kg feed, Diet 3 contained 5g of Bitter leaf meal per kg of feed, Diet 4 contained 2.5g each of bitter leaf and catmint leaf meal per kg of feed while Diet 5 contained 5g each of both bitter leaf and catmint leaf meal per kg of feed. The result of performance characteristics showed significant differences (P<0.05) only at feed intake and feed conversion ratio. No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed on the carcass parameters except at the thigh proportion, while proventiculus, pancreas, spleen and liver were significant (P< 0.05) among the organs. The meat quality was significantly (P<0.05) decreased in term of Colour, Flavour, Juiciness, Tenderness and General acceptability, only bitter leaf compete well with the control. It could therefore be concluded from the study that Bitter leaf and its mixture with catmint leaf meals can be included as supplements in broiler diet up to 5g/1kg at both the starter and finisher phase.