Nutritional evaluation of Leucaena hay with free range broiler chickens

Abstract

To evaluate the digestibility of the nutrients in simplified rations contained leucaena hay for free range broiler chickens in growing phase, it was used 24 experimental units, distributed on entirely randomized designed in factorial schedule 2x2, it knows: one control ration (RCO) and another ration with leucaena hay (FLE), offered in two phases of growth, one between 8 and 10 weeks (new foal - FC) and another between 16 and 18 weeks of age (old foal - FR). The chickens were housed in pairs in cages adapted to total excreta collection, organized in standard batteries, receiving ad libitum water and food. The results of apparent digestibility obtained with FLE were lower than the RCO, have been verified general means of 79.07% for dry matter (MS), 84.57% for crude protein (PB), 76.55% for ethereal extract (EE), 31.79% for neutral detergent fiber (FDN), 22.42% for acid detergent fiber (FDA), 77.92% for gross energy (EB) and availability of 19.87% for mineral matter (MM). Therefore, the inclusion of 20% of leucaena hay in the ration of the chickens, in both growth phases, not provided significant reduction in the total digestibility, that suggesting the dietary inclusion of this legume to free range broiler chickens.