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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 ACLM and feed intake, growth rate, feed/gain ratio and body colour intensity ( P −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. |
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