EFFECTS OF LEAF MEALS ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND

CARCASS YIELD OF BROILER

A Thesis Proposal Presented to the Faculty of Animal Science

College of Agriculture and Forestry
TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Camiling, Tarlac

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

BACHELOR OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

DANICA O. AGAS
WENNIE ANN DC. ALEJO
KYLA P. GUTING
MARIAH D. LAGMAY

July 2021

Republic of the Philippines

 TARLAC AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
Camiling, Tarlac

Undergraduate Thesis Outline of : DANICA O. AGAS

WENNIE ANN DC. ALEJO
KYLA P. GUTING
MARIAH D. LAGMAY

For the Degree : BACHELOR OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

Title : EFFECTS OF LEAF MEALS ON THE

GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS
YIELD OF BROILER

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

SHALYMAR Z. ROSARIO, B.Sc. ESTEWARD JONES M. ESTABILLO, M.Sc

Member Member

GIANNE BIANCA MANALO, B.Sc.

Chairperson

APPROVED:

EDMAR N. FRANQUERA, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Agriculture and Forestry

MARIEL ELENA T. CAGUIOA, Ph.D.

Director, Department of Research and Development

ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
 First and foremost, the authors extend their gratitude to Almighty God, who gave them

courage and strength which enabled them to evercome all hardships during the conduct of their

study. They would like like to thank their parents for their support and untiring love.

Sincere thanks to Ms. Gianne Bianca P. Manalo, their adviser, Ms. Shalymar Z. Rosario,

and Mr. Esteward Jones M. Estabillo, their advisory committee for sharing their expertise to

improve the study.

To the Dean and and faculty members of the College of Agriculture and Forestry, their

friends and classmates for their untiring love and support this piece of work is sincerely

dedicated.

Danica
Wennie Ann
Kyla
Mariah

iii

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
 The author was born on June 30, 2000. She is the sixth child of Fely Agas, a housewife and

Domingo Agas, a farmer.

She finished her primary studies in Barangobong Elementary School year 2012 and her

secondary education at Guiling Coliling National High School year 2018.

She is currently at her 3rd year in Bachelor of Animal Science in Tarlac Agricultural

University, determined to finish her chosen career path to make her parents proud.

Danica O. Agas
Bachelor of Animal Science

iv
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
 The author was born on November 25, 1999 in Ribba Pao 2 nd Camiling, Tarlac. She is the

youngest among the three children of Mr. Pedro B. Alejo and Mrs. Merlita DC. Alejo.

She completed her primary education at Bobon 2 nd Elementary School in 2012, her

secondary education at Camiling Colleges in 2016 and finished Senior High at Camiling

Catholic School in 2018.

She currently enrolled at Tarlac Agricultural University and took a degree in Bachelor of

Animal Science.

Wennie Ann DC. Alejo

Bachelor of Animal Science

v
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
 On the 6th day of October year 1999 the author was born at Bobon First Camiling Tarlac.

She is the eldest among the five children of Mr. Randy G. Guting and Mrs. Ethel P. Guting.

The author completed her primary education at Bobon First Palimbo Proper Elementary

School in 2012 and her secondary education at Camiling Catholic School in 2018.

She wanted to fulfill her dreams that’s why she took Bachelor of Animal Science at

Tarlac Agricultural University.

Kyla P. Guting
Bachelor of Animal Science

vi
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

The author Mariah D. Lagmay was born on 25 October, 1999, in Camiling, Tarlac. She is

the youngest of Mr. Eduardo Lagmay and Mrs. Rosalina Lagmay.

 The author completed her primary education at Bobon 2nd Elementary School in 2012

and she graduated high school at Camiling Catholic School in 2018.

She is currently pursuing Bachelor of Animal Science at Tarlac Agricultural University.

Mariah D. Lagmay
Bachelor of Animal Science

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
PRELIMINARIES

Title Page i

Approval Page ii
 Acknowledgment iii

Biographical Sketch iv

Table of Contents viii

List of Figures x

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study 1

Significance of the Study 2

Objectives of the Study 2

Scope and Delimitation of the Study 2

Definition of Terms 3

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

Related Literature 4

Related Studies 5

viii
METHODOLOGY

Experimental Design and Treatments 8

Preparation of Dried Leaf Meals 8

General Care and Management 9

Brooding Stage 9

During experimental period 9

Experiment Lay-out 9

Feeding Management 10

Hygiene and Sanitation 10

Slaughtering and Carcass Evaluation 10

Data Gathering 11

Data Analysis 12

LITERATURE CITED 13

ix
 LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE PAGE

1 Lay-out of the Experiment 9

x
 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

The feed has been a high cost in modern broiler production, accounting for about 70% of

the total production cost. The increase in feed price may imply the increase in total production

cost, hence decrease the profit margin of the production. An attempt has recently been taken to

reduce feed cost, including incorporating agro-industrial by-products in broiler diets as an energy

source. In addition, the application of leaf meal as an ingredient in broiler feeds has also been

conducted. Compared to agro-industrial by-products, the crude protein content in leaf meal is

much higher. This may be beneficial in reducing the proportion of the conventional-expensive

protein-rich feed ingredients in broiler rations.

Tropical leaves are potential partial replacement of conventional rations for broilers when

they are sun dried and prepared as leaf meals. Leaves like malunggay (Moringa oleifera) have

known medicinal and nutritional value for the broiler. Meanwhile, oregano possessed

antimicrobial property and Alugbati (Basella alba) was found to be rich in calcium, potassium,

and folic acid. Because of these nutritional values and health benefits, this study will explore the

feeding value of three-leaf meals for broilers.

Significance of the Study

Feeding broilers with different leaf meals can result in better growth performance and

carcass yield. The leaves that will be utilize in this study have known medicinal benefits in both

humans and animals. Since these plants are organically grown, improvement in broilers' health

status and overall physiological conditions may be elicited. Moreover, using sun dried leaves as
 2

feeds can potentially result in a cheaper ration, resulting in more economically efficient broiler

production.

Objectives of the Study

This study will be conducted to evaluate the effects of different leaf meals on the growth

performance and carcass yield of broiler. Specifically, it aims to:

1. determine the feed conversion ratio and gain in weight of broilers with different leaf

meals included on their diet;

2. determine the effects of different leaf meals on the breast weight, leg weight, wing

weight and whole dressed chicken weight; and

3. assess the profitability of broiler chicken production as affected by the different leaf

meals.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study will use 120 broiler chickens in a three-week feeding trial. Three leaf meals

will be part of the daily ration, namely: Basella alba (alugbati), Origanum vulgare (oregano),

and Moringa oleifera (malunggay),

The study will be conducted on the school year 2021-2022 at Brgy. Bobon 1st, Camiling,

Tarlac.
 3

Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined in this study to serve as a common reference.

Alugbati. A succulent with green or purplish stems. Fleshy, ovate or heart shaped in appearance.

Broiler. It refers to chicken raised primarily for meat.

Carcass. The edible portion of farm animals after slaughtered.

Feed additives. It is the product/s used to improve the health status of an animal as well as the

quality of feed.

Leaf meals. The dried and ground young leaf used as a supplement in feeding livestock and

poultry.

Malunggay. It is known as the “miracle tree” or “nature’s medicinal cabinet”. Its leaves, trunks,

roots and seeds possessed various substances with excellent health benefits.

Oregano. A bushy perennial mint (Origanum vulgare) that are used as a seasoning and a

source of aromatic oil.

Ration. Amount of feeds offered daily to the animals.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

 4

Related Literature

Karimi et al. (2010) evaluated the effects of different levels and sources of oregano leaf

in starter diets for broilers. The 10 different dietary treatments included 1) a non-supplemented

corn-soybean meal diet (negative control); 2) the basal diet + 55 mg/kg of penicillin (positive

control); 3 to 6) 2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 g of oregano of Mexican origin/kg of diet; and 7 to 10)

2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 g of oregano of Mediterranean origin/kg of diet, respectively. Each diet

was fed to 6 replicate pens of 5 male birds in battery brooders for 18 d. The results shows that

the broiler chicks fed diets containing penicillin had better BW and FE at 18 d of age compared

with the negative control diet or those fed with the different levels of oregano leaf of both

origins. In addition, different levels of oregano leaf had no effects on BW, FCR as well in the

mortality rate. Birds fed with 20.0 g/kg of oregano of Mediterranean origin were intermediate in

feed conversion to birds fed the negative and positive control diets. To induce a larger favorable

reaction to oregano leaf in broiler diets, higher amounts of oregano employed in this study may

be required in more uncertain environmental conditions.

According to Mahfuz et al., (2019) the wide application of in-feed antibiotics in poultry

production has created public health hazards. A driving force that made the industry to utilized

natural herbs was to create an antibiotic-alternative in poultry production. Therefore, the

objective of the current review is to determine the effects of moringa (Moringa oleifera) tree

leaves, seeds and their extracts on chickens’ performance and health status. Based on previous

findings, M. oleifera as natural feed supplement has sustained the production performance and

improved the health status of broiler chickens.

 5

According to Sorsano et al., (2013) alugbati (Basella alba) has anti-fungal properties

which yielded two antifungal peptides with potent activity against Botrytis cinerea,

Mycosphaerella arachidicola and Fusarium oxysporum. It has also antimicrobial properties, as

matter of fact, a study of the aqueous ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of the leaves of

Basella alba exhibited antimicrobial activity against all test organisms except P. aeruginosa. The

ethanolic extract showed maximum effect against E coli. It is also considered as excellent source

of calcium, iron and good source of vitamins A, B, and C, with a high roughage value.

A study conducted by the Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR), in partnership with

the World Vegetable Center, a Taiwan-based research and development institution, shows that at

least 10 promising indigenous vegetables are classified as priority crops for massive promotion.

These include alugbati (Basella alba), ampalaya (bitter gourd) or bayok-bayok for leaves

(Momordica charantia), himbabao (Allaeanthus luzonicus), kulitis (Amaranthus), labong

(Bambusa merrilliana) upo or bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceria), malunggay (Moringa oleifera),

pako (Athyrium esculentum fiddleheadhead fern) saluyot (Corchorus olitorius), and talinum

(Talinum triangulare).

Related Studies

The results presented by Giannenas et al., (2005) showed that the dehydrated oregano

plants exerted a growth-promoting effect when incorporated in chicken diets at the level of 5

g/kg. This incorporation also improved the oxidative stability of both breast and thigh muscle.

The oxidative stability offered by oregano plants was inferior to that exhibited by the a-

tocopheryl acetate supplementation. However, the dietary combination of 5 g/kg oregano and a-

tocopheryl acetate exhibited antioxidant activity higher than that presented by a-tocopheryl
 6

acetate when supplemented alone or in combination with 10 g/kg oregano. Thigh muscle was

more susceptible to oxidation than breast muscle, although the former contained a-tocopherol at

markedly higher levels. It may, therefore, be assumed that antioxidant compounds of oregano

were absorbed from the diet, entered the circulatory system after ingestion, and were distributed

and retained in muscle and other tissues. As there is no analytical method available for the

determination of oregano antioxidants in meat, the bioavailability of these compounds in the

dietary-modified meat could not be directly demonstrated. Further study was needed in order to

develop method that could identify and quantify each of the main antioxidant constituents of

oregano deposited into chicken meat.

Onunkwo et al. (2015) conducted a study to evaluate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf

meal (MOLM) on growth performance and carcass characteristics of boiler chicks. A total of 120

day-old broiler chicks of the ANAK – 2000 strain were weighed and allotted to four (4)

experimental groups in a Completely Randomized Design and fed graded levels (0.0%, 5.0%,

7.5% and 10%) of MOLM for seven weeks (49 days). The experimental groups, which were

designed as Treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively were further replicated three times with

10 birds per replicate so that each group had a total of 30 birds. Treatment 1, which contained

0% MOLM served as the control. Growth parameters determined were average final live weight,

average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. At the end of the

feeding trial, three birds per treatment were randomly selected from each of the replicates,

starved overnight and slaughtered to evaluate carcass characteristics. Internal organs such as the

gizzard, thigh, shank, breast, wings, spleen, neck, lung, drum stick, heart, liver and kidney were

removed and grossly examined for any pathological changes. The results showed that there was

no significant difference (P >0.05) in growth performance parameter (average daily feed intake,
 7

average daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio) and the economic parameters (revenue, gross

margin, cost of a kg weight gain). However, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in organ

weights (wings, shank, drumsticks, kidney, liver, gizzard) and some cut parts between the

experimental and control groups. These results suggest that Moringa oleifera leaf meal can

replace protein source (soyabean and groundnut cake) up to 10% in broiler diets without any

adverse effects on growth and carcass qualities, and could marginally reduce feed cost in broiler

production.

Meanwhile, study was conducted by Mandey et al., (2015) in alugbati and banana as

potential substitute feeds for broiler chicken. Results showed that, production performance was

improved and it was also cost efficient. Basella rubra on a dry weight basis, containst 15% of

cinder minerals, 1.6% of unrefined fat, 7.20% of rough fiber, raw protein of 17.55%, and

50.62% of carbohydrates. This implies that the alugbati leaves might be used as a feed

supplement for broiler chickens.

METHODOLOGY

Experimental Design and Treatments

A total of 120 broiler chickens will be use in this study. The broiler chicks will be brood

in their first 14 days. After brooding, the broiler chickens will be divided in to four treatments

and will be subjected into three-week-feeding trial. Each treatment will be replicated in to three
 8

(3) and those replications will consist of 10 broiler chickens. The experimental treatments will

be:

T1 – Pure commercial ration (control)

T2 – Basella alba 5% + 95% commercial ration

T3 – Moringa oleifera 5% + 95% commercial ration

T4 – Oreganum Vulgare 5% + 95% commercial ration

The Completely Randomized Design (CRD) will be used in the experiment.

T1R1 T2R3 T3R1 T4R1

T2R2 T3R3 T4R2 T1R3

T4R3 T1R2 T2R1 T3R2

Figure 1. Lay-out of the experiment

Preparation of Dried Leaf Meals

The harvest fresh leaves of malunggay (Moringa oleifera), oregano (Oreganum Vulgare)

and alugbati (Basella alba) will wash thoroughly. Leaves will be detach from its stem and only

the healthy and bright colored leaves will remain and put in to winnowing basket. After that,

leaves will undergo sun drying and will be spread from time to time. Lastly, the leaves will be

powderized and 5% weight of the commercial feeds that will be offer to the broiler chickens will

be fill by the leaf meals.

General Care and Management

Brooding stage
 9

Before the arrival of broiler chicks, the brooder cages will be thoroughly cleaned and

disinfected to prevent the emergence of parasites and diseases. Two 50 watts electric bulb will be

installed at the center of each cage to provide artificial light that will help them to regulate their

body temperature during brooding phase. Old newspapers will be laid on the entire floor of the

brooding cage to keep it clean and dry. Sacks will be fixed around the cages to protect the chicks

from environmental changes.

During experimental period

During the three-week feeding trial, adequate floor space, as well as sufficient feeder and

waterer will be provided. Rice hull and newspaper will serve as bedding material. Every week

will be weight the broiler chickens to get the weekly weighing. To find out the effect of leaf

meals if the broiler chickens will be increase the weight.

Feeding Management

On the first day up to 14 days, the broiler chicks will be fed ad libitum with chick

booster. From fifteen days up to thirty five days of age, starter ration will be offered consisting of

5% leaf meal and 95% commercial broiler starter ration. The feeds will be weigh and offered to

the broiler chickens at 6am and 4pm everyday. Fresh and clean water will be offered ad libitum

throughout the duration of the study.

 10

Hygiene and Sanitation

The feeders and waterers will be clean and sanitize thoroughly with soap and tap water.

Manure will be collected every day. Cleanliness of surroundings will be maintain to avoid the

occurence of pathogens.

Slaughtering and Carcass Yield Evaluation

At the age of 35 days, one broiler chicken per replicate that is close to the final average

weight will be selected and subjected in to a slaughtering procedure to evaluate their carcass

yield. Prior to slaughtering procedure, broiler chicken will be fasted for three hours. After

weighing the whole dressed chicken, legs, breasts and wings weight will be determined.

Data Gathering

The following data will be gather and will be subjected in to statistical analysis using the

Analysis of Variance of the Complete by Randomized Design (CRD).

Initial weight: refers to the weight of birds at the start of the study

Final weight: refers to the weight of the birds at the end of the study.

Gain weight: total gain in weight will be determined by subtracting the final body weight to the

initial body weight.

Feed consumption: feed consumption will be collected by weighing all the feeds offer to the

broiler chickens.

Feed conversion efficiency: this will be calculated by dividing the total feed consumption over

the total gain in weight.

 11

Carcass yield of the broiler chickens: this will be taken after slaughtering of the broiler chicken

at the end of the study.

6.1.1 Live weight – this will be taken before slaughtering procedure of the broiler chicken.

6.1.2 Dressing percentage- is the ratio of dressed carcass weight to the weight of the live

animal, expressed as a percentage.

6.1.3 Breast Weight – this refers to the weight of breast after separating from the legs.

6.1.4 Leg Weight – this refers to the weight of legs after separating from the breast.

6.1.5 Wing Weight – this refers to the weight of wings after separating from the body.

Return of Investment (ROI):

Net Income

%ROI= X 100

Total Cost of Production

Data Analysis

All the data gathered will be recorded, tabulated, and will be subjected to statistical

analysis using the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of the Completely Randomized Design

(CRD). This will be calculated using the Statistical Tool for Agricultural Research (STAR)

Program Tool Version 9.0. Treatment means found significant differences will be compared

using the Least Significant Difference at 5% level of significance.

LITERATURE CITED
 12

S Sugiharto, T Yudiarti, I Isroli, E Widiastuti, H I Wahyuni and T A Sartono. (2019). A review

on fungal fermented cassava pulp as a cheap alternative feedstuff in poultry ration.
Journal of World's Poultry Research, 01-06.
A. Karimi, F. Yan, C. Coto, J. H. Park, Y. Min, C. Lu, J. A. Gidden, J. O. Lay Jr., and P. W.
Waldroup. (2010). Effects of and source of oregano leaf meal in startyer diets for broiler
chicks. The Journal of Applied Poultry Research. 19(2):137-145.
Mahfuz, S., & Piao, X. S. (2019). Application of Moringa (Moringa oleifera) as Natural Feed
Supplement in Poultry Diets. Animals : an open access journal from MDPI, 9(7), 431.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9070431
Marianne Jennifer Datiles and Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez. (2019) Department of Botany-
Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
Dr. Judy M. Sorsano , Dr. Libna L. Lucas, Dr. Lazaro T. Lucas Dr. Anastacio C. Farin, Dr.
Cornelio C. Garcia, Engr. Dinah E. Abugho, Prof. Josephine C. Asinas, Mr. Noli S.
Sorsano. (2013). Performance of free range chicken through feed and drink
supplementation using tuber crops, fruits, crops’leaves and herbal extracts. Philippine
Agriculture Economics & Development Association.
I.A. Giannenas, P. Florou-Paneri, N.A. Botsoglou , E. Christaki and A.B. Spais. (2005). Effect of
supplementing feed with oregano and/or α-tocopheryl acetate on growth of broiler
chickens and oxidative stability of meat. Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences. 521–535
Onunkwo, D.N and George, O.S. (2015). Effects of Moringa Oleifera Leaf Meal on the Growth
Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Birds. IOSR Journal of Agriculture
and Veterinary Science. Volume 8, Issue 3 Ver. II. PP 63-66
Santia, S. M.A. (2015). Cholesterol and Malondialdehyde Contents of Broiler-Chicken Meat
Supplemented with Indigofera zolingeriana Top Leaf Meal. Semantic Scholar.
Adedeji Olufemi Ayokunle. (2014). Effect of Poultry Manure on the Nutritive Value of Basella
alba. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Computational and Applied
Sciences (IJETCAS).
Suzette Timtim (2021). Basella Alba, Basella Rubra (Alugbati) And Musa Paradisiaca (Banana)
Leaves As Supplementary Feeds For (Gallus Gallus Domesticus) Chicken. Research gate
Bureau Of Agricultural Research (Bar (2015). Indigenous Vegetables Used In School Feeding Project
Dost.Gov.