Performance and Haematological Indices of Broiler Chickens Fed Water Leaf (Talinum triangulare) Meal Supplement

A 56-day experiment involving 150 day-old Anak 2000 broiler chicks was carried out in a completely randomized design to evaluate the performance, haematological parameters and serum metabolites of the broilers fed Water leaf Meal (WLM) supplement for 8 weeks at Ibadan in Oyo state of Nigeria. The birds were allotted to 5 treatments containing 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12% WLM. Each treatment was replicated thrice. Broiler starters were fed the same starter diet (21.05-22.75% crude protein (CP)), while the finishers were equally fed the same finisher diet (19.40-19.94%CP). The WLM was found to be rich in protein (19.89%)and ash (10.00%) hence may be a good protein supplement for broilers but low in minerals(Ca, P, Mg and Fe) and phytochemical (phytate, tannin and oxalate). Dietary inclusion of WLM in broiler starter diets depressed feed intake at 12% inclusion levelbut at 9% inclusion total feed intake was elevated, significantly (P<0.05) compared to control and other treatments. Final live weight and weight gain at starter phase decreased significantly (P<0.05) and progressively with the increased concentration of WLM supplements, 3%WLM level was the optimal, replacing soya bean meal with WLM reduced the cost of broiler starter production. Broiler finishers also exhibited a similar pattern. Lymphocytes (%) values in broiler-chicks fed 0 and 3% WLM inclusion diets were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of broiler-chicks fed 6, 9 and 12% WLM supplementary diet. The PCV and RBC were not affected by the diets.WLM supplements in the diets of broilers had no significant influence on total serum protein, albumin, albumin/globulin ratio, creatinine, urea, alanine-aminotransferase, hydrogen trioxocarbonate IV, phosphate and calcium, unlike cholesterol, globulin, alkaline phosphate, potassium, chloride and aspartate amino transferase which were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the dietary inclusion of WLM supplements. Cholesterol value decreased (102 - I05mg/dl) for the broilers fed 9-12%WLM supplements compared to those placed on 3 and 6% (I16-120gm/dl). Serum potassium was highest at 12% WLM inclusion level (4.36mml/L) followed by 9% (3.85mmol/L) while control was the least (3.50mmoI/L). Broiler starters and finishers are recommended to be fed 6 to 12%WLM, respectively for improved feed intake, weight gain and blood formation.