The Potential of Jack Bean (Canavalia ensiformis) as a Replacement for Soybean (Glycine max) in Broiler Starter and Finisher Diets

This research study was carried out to evaluate the utilization of treated jack bean meal (JBM) and to determine its replacement value for soybean meal in broiler diets. Jack bean meal was incorporated at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% levels in both starter and finisher rations. A total of one hundred day old Ross broiler chicks were randomly allotted to five dietary treatments with two replicates in a completely randomised design (CRD). Parameters measured were daily feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio, final live weight, carcass weight and internal organ weights. Gross examination of internal organs was also conducted. During 0-4 weeks of age, it was observed that as the level of JBM increased in the diets, there was significant (P<0.05) reduction in daily feed intake and daily weight gain among the dietary treatments. However, the feed conversion ratio was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the dietary treatments. At the finishing phase of 5-9 weeks of age, daily feed intake was significantly (P<0.05) reduced as the inclusion level of JBM increased, while daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio showed no significant (P>0.05) difference between the control and other treatments, this observation may be due to tolerance of birds as they grew older. The experiment lasted for 9 weeks. Gross examination of the internal organs show no trace of macroscopic lesion, necrosis or haemorrhage among dietary treatments. Conclusively, it is possible to incorporate JBM up to 20% in broiler diet without deleterious effect on performance of broilers.