Authors: O.A.Oyegunle, G. N. Amahia, O. M. Olayiwola and A. A. Adewara

Elixir Jounal

Abstract:

Livestock industry in Nigeria is ridden with myriad of problems, which have resulted to a gross shortage of meat and other animal products. The growth rate of agriculture sector in Nigeria is still below the potentials of the natural and human resources due to high cost of agricultural inputs.

To increase protein intake in Nigeria, there is urgent need to increase broiler production at household and commercial holdings. This research was conducted to assess the weight gained by the broiler chickens served fluted pumpkin leaves extract and also to examine the possible combination of number of weeks and quantity of fluted pumpkin leaves extract that can result in maximum weight of the broiler chickens. The data were collected as a secondary data from the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology (I.A.R & T), Ibadan. An 8-weeks experiment was conducted to assess the weight gained by the broiler chickens served with fluted pumpkin leaves extract (FPLE). Forty day old Anak 2000 broiler chicks were randomly distributed to 5 treatments which contained 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 ml of FPLE per litre of water for A, B, C, D and E, respectively, in a completely randomized design. Each treatment was replicated four times with two birds per replicate. The birds were fed with the same starter and finisher diets. The feed and water were served. Factorial design was used to study the main and interaction effects of number of weeks and quantity of FPLE on the weight of broiler chickens. Response surface model was fitted and subjected to canonical analysis to the characterization of the nature of its turning point and to capture the combination of number of weeks and quantity of FPLE that brings maximum weight of the broiler chickens. The results showed that the average body weight gained was significant (P<0.05). It was least in control compared to the birds served with 30-120 ml of FPLE. Factorial Design revealed that birds served with FPLE gained more weight than those in control. The birds served 120 ml of FPLE per litre of water for 8 weeks had the best performance in terms of weight gain. The use of FPLE in broiler chickens production is most effective from five weeks of age. The fitted Response Surface Model indicated that number of weeks and quantity of FPLE together with their mutual interaction significantly (P<0.05) determined the weight of broiler chickens. The maximum weight was achieved when number of week was ten with 100ml of FPLE. Number of weeks, FPLE and their mutual interaction play a key role in obtaining maximum weight of broiler chickens. These factors should be put into consideration in making of feed for broiler chickens.