Effect of Black Plum Leaf Meal on the Growth Performance Characteristics, Cost Benefit Evaluation and Serum Biochemical Indices of Finisher Broiler Birds

Background and Objective: Synthetic feed additives have raised and generated a lot of questions and concerns regarding the safety of their uses. Hence a need to look for alternatives which is considered safe for the end users which are humans. The main objective of the study is to determine the effect of black plum leaf meal on the growth performance characteristics, cost benefit evaluation and serum biochemical indices of finisher broiler birds. Materials and Methods: A total of ninety-six, four weeks old Agrited broiler birds were used for the research. The birds were randomly distributed into four dietary groups, which were replicated three times with eight birds per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) setup. Four different diets were formulated, such that the processed black plum leaf meal was incorporated into the diets at the rate of 2, 4 and 6%, with diet one serving as the control diet with 0% level of processed black plum leaf meal. Feed and water were also given to the birds for the experimental period of twenty-one days. Results: It is obtained for growth performance revealed that birds on diet 4 had a better value in terms of final body weight, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio with 2520, 1539.83 and 1.79 g, respectively. Cost-benefit evaluation was higher in treatment 4 with values of #4788.00, #1081.37 and 3.43 which was reflected for revenue, benefit/net profit and cost-benefit ratio. Serum biochemical indices values were highest in diet 1 with 3.58, 1.97, 8.24, 0.89 and 182.44 mg/dL corresponding to total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine and cholesterol respectively. Conclusion: Thus, it can be concluded that processed black plum leaf meal can be incorporated into the diet of broilers at the finisher phase up to the level of 6% without any negative or detrimental impact in terms of growth and serum biochemistry values.