Effects of Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata) and Utazi leaf (Gongronema latifolium) Powders on Feed Intake, Growth Performance, and Mortality of Broilers

The study investigated effects of siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) and bush buck (utazi) leaf (Gongronema latifolium) powders on feed intake, growth performance, and mortality of broilers. Three hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. An experimental research design was adopted. The study was conducted at Ebigbo Integrated Farm, Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State, Nigeria. Population consisted of 60-day-old chicks. The experiment lasted two months. Growth performance was determined using a weighing balance. Feed intake was calculated using weighing-back technique. Mean and percentage were used to analyze data, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test hypotheses. Results show that birds fed with siam weed had the highest weight gain (3778.51g) and performed better than birds in other treatment groups. Results of feed intake showed that the control group (T0) had the highest feed intake (5170.33 g), while the Utazi-treated group (4823.11g) had the lowest. No mortality was recorded across treatment group throughout the study period. It was concluded that dietary inclusion of siam weed leaf meal in the ration improved growth performance of broiler birds with no adverse effect.