Thesis Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of dried leaves of cassava (Manihot esculenta), siam weed (Vernoma amygdalina)and bitterleaf (Chromolaena odorata). In determining the ME values, the substitution method was adopted and the basal diet which was a standard broiler finisher diet containing about 3000Kcal/kg ME and about 20.0% crude protein (CP) constituted the diet 1. In diet 2,3,4, Siam weed leaf meal (SLM), Bitter leaf meal (BLM) and cassava leaf meal (CLM) replaced 20% of the basal diet (that is 80% basal + 20% leaf meal). Birds (6 weeks old) were placed in metabolic cagesfor collection of excreta. Excreta was collected from each replicate for three consecutive days, weighed, dried and analyzed. From the ME of the basal and substituted diets, the AME of the test ingredient were determined by means of Algebraic equation. The result obtained showed that feed intake was highest with control, followed by CLM, SLM and BLM respectively.

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