Effect of <i>Vachellia karroo</i> leaf meal inclusion levels on growth, meat pH, shear force, cooking loss and shelf life of Ross 308 broiler chickens

This study determined the effect of Vachellia karroo leaf meal (VKLM) in diets on feed intake (FI), digestibility, conversion ratio (FCR), body weight gain (BWG), final live (FLW) and meat quality parameters male Ross 308 broiler chickens fed from 22 to 42 days. One hundred sixty 22-day-old were assigned four treatments with replicates 10 chickens. VKLM inclusion levels at 0, 0.5, 1.0 1.5 g/kg dry matter (DM). The total FI BWG recorded used calculate FCR. Meat pH, shear force cooking loss chicken breast samples measured for stability over refrigerated storage periods 7 14 days −4°C. Data analysed using general linear model procedures (SAS, 2013) as Completely Randomized Design (CRD) Initial Body Weight (IBW) a covariate. did not affect (P > 0.05) FI, FCR nutrient digestibility broilers. Breast similar after slaughter (day 0). However, days, treatment had lower pH than diet without (control). broilers g higher < control. After no force. It was concluded that could be included up DM improve shelf life any adverse effects performance productivity.