PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMICS OF PRODUCTION OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIFFERENT DIETARY LEVELS OF BITTER LEAF (Vernonia amygdalina) MEAL

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine the effect of varying dietary levels of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) meal (BLM) on the performance and economics of production of broiler chickens. A total of ninety-six (96), 28-day old broiler chickens were used in a Completely Randomised Design experiment.  The chickens were randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups with commercial diets supplemented with BLM at the rate of 0g/kg of feed, 25g/kg of feed. 50g/kg of feed and 75g/kg of feed designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Performance parameters measured were weight gain, daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio while the parameters of economics of production measured were feed cost per bird, cost of feed /kg gain, benefit cost ratio, cost of production and revenue. Results showed significant (p<0.05) treatment effects on final body weight, weight gain, daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and the economic parameters of feed cost/kg gain, cost of production, total revenue and benefit cost ratio. It was concluded that bitter leaf meal inclusion in the diet of broiler chickens improved their performance and economic yield. It was recommended that bitter meaf meal be included in the diet of broiler chickens up to 75g/kg of feed.