Effect of feeding graded levels of guava leaf meal on performance and economics of broiler chicks

Present study was undertaken on 120-day-old unsexed broiler chicks to study the effect of dietary guava leaf meal (GLM) on performance of broilers. They were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatment groups of 30 birds per group, each having 3 replicates (10 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized block design (CRD). All the birds were fed standard starter and finisher ration to meet their nutrient requirements. Diets of the birds in groups T₁, T₂, T₃ and T₄ were supplemented with guava leaf meal at 0, 1, 2 and 4 % of diet. Cumulative feed intake during 0-3, 0-6 and 4-6 weeks of broiler chicks were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₁ followed by T₂, T₃ and lowest in T₄ groups. FCR of 0-3 weeks among groups was found to be statistically non-significant (P<0.05), whereas, at 0-6 weeks better FCR was observed in T₃ followed by T₄ and poor FCR was recorded in T ₁ and T ₂. Similarly, FCR during 4-6 weeks was significantly (P<0.05) better in T₃ followed by T₄, T₂, and lower FCR was recorded in T₁. GLM incorporation did not exert any adverse effect on carcass characteristics, even though, significantly decreased abdominal fat content and improved lymphoid organ weight was noted in gram and percent of live weight. GLM supplementation significantly (P<0.001) increased net profit per bird and benefit: cost ratio in T₂, T₃ and T₄ groups as compared to T₁ group. It may be concluded that GLM supplementation at 2 % improved body weight gain, FCR, lymphoid organs weights and reduced feed intake and abdominal fat content. Thus, supplementation of guava leaf meal at 2% in the broiler ration could be a better alternative in terms of producing healthy low fat broiler meat.