NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY DETERMINATION OF CASSAVA, LEUCAENA, STYLOSANTHES, MORINGA AND TRICHANTHERA LEAF MEALS IN CHICKENS

Tu T. Kien, Tran T. Hoan, Phan T. Huong, Mai A. Khoa, Tu Q. Hien, Hoang T. H. Nhung

Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the nutrient digestibility of cassava leaf meal (CLM), Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LLM), Stylosanthes guianensis grass meal (SGM) Moringa oleifera leaf meal (M.LM) and Trichanthera gigantea leaf meal (T.LM) in Luong Phuong broiler chickens. The study was carried out based on the nutrient digestibility of 2 diets: 1) The basal diet without the inclusion of leaf meals and 2) the experimental diet consisting of 80% basal diet and 20% leaf meals. Based on the nutrient digestibility and the total digestible matter of the 2 diets, the nutrient digestibility of leaf meals was calculated. The results showed that crude protein, lipid, fiber, non – nitrogen extract digestibility of CLM was 63.35; 75.91; 22.02 and 68.30%, respectively. That of LLM was 68.27; 79.76; 24.67 and 70.89%, respectively. That of SGM was 65.18; 69.23; 18.89 and 67.58%, respectively. That of MLM was 67.97; 78.15; 25.48 and 72.84 %, respectively. And that of TLM was 65.43; 72.73; 23.08 and 68.90%, respectively. The formulation of a diet based on the nutrient digestibility of the feed ingredients was recommended in order to obtain optimum performance of broiler chickens.

Keywords: digestibility; leaf meals; nutrients

Date published: 2017-07-07