International Journal of Farming and Allied Sciences Available online at www.ijfas.com ©2014 IJFAS Journal-2014-3-8/876-883/ 31 August, 2014 ISSN 2322-4134 ©2014 IJFAS PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION OF BROILER CHICKENS FED WATER LEAF MEAL SUPPLEMENT Friday C. Nworgu 1 , Philip C. N. Alikwe 2 , Gabriel N. Egbunike 3 and Elijah I. Ohimain 4* 1. Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, ObafemiAwolowo University, Moor Plantation, P.M.B 5029 Ibadan, Nigeria 2. Biochemistry/Biptechnology Research Unit, Animal Science Dept, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. 3. Animal Science Dept University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria 4. Agricultural and Veterinary Microbiology Research Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria Corresponding author: Elijah I. Ohimain ABSTRACT: Freshly matured leaves of water leaf (Talinum triangulare) plant were harvested sun dried to moisture content of 12%, milled and incorporated into the experimental diets, which contained 0,3, 6, 9 and 12% water leaf meal (WLM) for treatments A, B, C, D and E, respectively for broiler chickens. Treatment A served as control. Water and feed were served ad-libitum. Necessary sanitation and the required drug administration and vaccination were carried out as at when due. The research work was carried out to determine the effect of WLM supplement on the performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chicken. The duration of the experiment was 8 weeks (4 weeks for broiler starter (BS) and 4 weeks for broiler finisher (BF)). The results of the proximate chemical analysis of WLM depicted that it is rich in crude protein (19.89%), ash (10.00%), Potassium (1.5%), Calcium (1.39%) and moderate in crude fibre (8.10%). The final body weight gain (FBW), mean body weight gain (MBWG), total feed intake (TFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), daily water intake, cost of feed per kilogram live weight gain (CFPKLWG), total digestible nutrient (TDN), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were significantly (P<0.05) affected in each phase among the treatments. At the starter phase, increased concentration of WLM resulted to depression of weight gain (14.14-28.90%) compared to control, unlike finisher phase in which there was elevation of weight gain (10.83%) for the birds fed 12% dietary inclusion of WLM. Similar scenario was observed for the FCR, CFPKLWG, TDN and PER for the both phases. Hence WLM is a good protein supplement for broiler finishers. The increase in weight and it is non- hazardous for the Broiler Finisher fed 3-12%WLM indicated that WLM is a good protein supplement for Broiler Finishers. Keywords: Performance, broiler chickens, nutrients, water leaf, supplement INTRODUCTION World feed resources are on the verge of rapid decline, caused probably by increase in human population and consumption of agricultural products. Hence, conventional animal feeds are becoming increasingly expensive. The high cost of conventional ingredients has been the prime stimulant for the continuing search for alternative feedstuff to reduce cost of feed and animal production (Onifade,1998). A typical Nigerian consumes about 15g of animal protein per day as against 54g per caput per day by Americans (FAO, 1989). This is grossly inadequate and poses a serious threat of malnutrition. Recent high cost of livestock products makes it impossible for an average Nigerian