Responses of growing broilers and laying hens to the dietary inclusion of leaf meal from Alchornia cordifolia

Studies were carried out to determine the nutrient composition of the leaf meal of the tropical browse plant, Alchornia cordifolia, and its value as a feed ingredient and colouring agent in broiler and layer diets. A. cordifolia leaf meal (ACLM) contained (DM basis): 186.8 g crude protein, 164.3 g crude fibre, 50.1 g ether extract, 24.2 g ash, 574.6 g nitrogen free extract and 19.31 MJ gross energy kg−1. At dietary level of 75 g kg−1, ACLM significantly (P<0.05) depressed feed intake and growth rate of broilers but was able to turn the skins, shanks and beaks of the birds conspicuously yellow in white maize-based diets. Regression analysis showed significant relationships between the level of ACLM and feed intake, growth rate, feed/gain ratio and body colour intensity (P<0.05). At dietary levels of 0 g, 25 g, 50 g, 75 g and 100 g kg−1, the skin and shank colour scores on Roche colour fan were 0, 4.5, 5.2, 6 and 6.5, respectively. Laying hens tolerated ACLM up to 50 g kg−1 dietary level. Regression analysis showed no significant treatment effects in feed intake, egg production and feed efficiency (P>0.05). Egg yolk colour was increased from a score of 0.8 on Roche yolk colour fan for the control to 5.2 at 25 g kg−1 dietary level, 11 at 50 g kg−1 dietary level, and 13.2 at 75 g kg−1 dietary level in white maize-based diets.