Supplementation of Conventional Feed with Roasted Seeds of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) Wit: Effects on Production Performance and Health of Local Chickens in Burkina Faso
In Burkina Faso, conventional poultry feeds are expensive and remain largely inaccessible in rural areas. This study evaluated the effect of supplementing pullet diets with roasted Leucaena leucocephala seed meal on growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematological and biochemical parameters in local chickens. Fifty 8-week-old local chicks were allocated to five groups of 10 birds each, corresponding to three experimental diets with replicates: 0% (LG0), 2% (LG2 and LG2r) and 4% (LG4 and LG4r) roasted seed flour inclusion. The nutritional value of this flour was assessed using standard methods. Morpho biometric profiles were measured, blood parameters analyzed using the ABX PENTRA C200 automated analyzer and coccidia oocysts quantified by the modified flotation method. Roasted Leucaena leucocephala seeds proved rich in protein (33.19%), total sugars (38.10%) and minerals (phosphorus, potassium, sodium). Analysis of qualitative traits revealed that local chickens predominantly featured gray plumage (25%), red wattles (80%), pink skin (90%) and black feet (40%); along with a red crest (82.33%) and orange-red eyes (85%). The 4% supplementation level yielded the highest live weight (1111 g), lowest feed conversion ratio, and best carcass yield (90.58%; P > 0.05), especially in LG4 females compared to controls. However, none of these growth and slaughter parameters reached statistical significance compared to the 2% group, as these overall performances masked disparities between males and females. Roasted Leucaena leucocephala seed induced no adverse changes in hematological or biochemical blood parameters. The 2% dose was the most effective, inducing an 80% inhibition of the coccidial oocyst load, an effect primarily observed in males. No treatment-related mortality was recorded throughout the study. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that the supplementation of up to 4% roasted Leucaena leucocephala seed meal into the diets exerts a favorable effect on the growth performance and health status of local chickens, despite sex-related variations.
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