Emenalom O.O., Udedibie A.B.I., Okehie N.U., Onwuka B.I.
Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
Emenalom, O.O., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria; Udedibie, A.B.I., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria; Okehie, N.U., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria; Onwuka, B.I., Department of Animal Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, P.M.B. 1526, Owerri, Nigeria
Some chemical and anti-nutritional characteristics as well as the feeding value of the seeds of Alchornea cordifolia plant on broilers were investigated. The mature dried seed contains 13.7% crude protein, 5.10% crude fibre, 4.90% crude fat, 4.90% ash and 60.7% carbohydrates. It also contains phytic acids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and anthraquinone but not cyanides. Inclusion of raw Alchornea seed meal at 5, 10 and 15% in starter broiler diets, fed 0 - 28 days of age caused progressive reductions in growth and by 28 day, broilers fed 15% Alchornea diet weighed 32.8% of control. Feed intakes and feed conversion ratios declined significantly (P<0.05) among the Alchornea seed diet groups relative to control. At 5% level, Alchornea seed promoted much better growth, feed intake and feed conversion ratio than 15% but the values were significantly (P<0.05) less than control. The enzyme alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were higher, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) tended to be lower, for Alchornea seeds compared with control. It is concluded that raw Alchornea cordifolia seed is toxic to broiler chicks and depressed their performance at 5 - 10% dietary levels. Further studies on processed Alchornea seeds are worthwhile considering its high seed yield in most tropical countries.