Effect of Poultry Feed Supplemented with Mulberry Leaf Powder on Growth and Development of Broilers
Year: 2009
Type: preprint
Abstract: Mulberry (Morus sp.) is extensively cultivated for rearing silkworms (Bombyx mori L.) for production of silk. As the mulberry leaf is rich in nutritive value with 22-24% protein, the studies on its use other than silkworm rearing are gaining importance in recent years. To utilize the mulberry leaf for alternative purposes other than silkworm rearing, a study for utilizing mulberry as a poultry feed supplement was conducted at CSRTI, Mysore. Broiler chicks (Breed: COB-400) were raised on four different test rations supplemented with different levels of mulberry leaf powder viz., 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20% and data on initial body weight, final body weight, feed consumption, etc., were recorded. The results revealed that the highest mean body weight after the growth period of six weeks was recorded in 10% supplementation. The highest feed consumption per bird was in control followed by 5, 10, 15 and 20%. The maximum feed conversion ratio at six weeks of growth was in 10%, suggesting that the mulberry leaf powder supplementation at 10% would cut down the cost of poultry feed. This is the first report on this aspect in India, which would benefit the poultry farmer in economizing the cost of meat production.
Source: SSRN Electronic Journal
Authors: N. B. Chowdary, M. V. Rajan, S. B. Dandin
Language: English
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W60710326