Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

Tetrapleura tetraptera is a medium sized deciduous forest tree with fern-like foliage and highly characteristic fruit. It belongs to the family of Minosaceae and is a rich source of phytochemicals and has been reported to have several applications as medicine, spice and preservative. One hundred and fifty (150) pullets at point of lay were used to determine the impact of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal on the growth performance and economic evaluation of laying chickens. The birds were randomly selected into five (5) treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) with thirty birds per replicate. Five diets were formulated such that Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal was added at the rate of 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% in treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Feed and water were given ad-libitum throughout the research period. Proximate analysis of Tetrapleura tetraptera was carried out. Data obtained from the research work showed that growth performance parameters were significant (p<0.05) in body weight gain, feed conversion ratio and hen day egg production; while the values for final body weight, daily feed intake, egg weight and average egg number were not significantly (p>0.05) affected across the treatment group studied. It can be concluded that the inclusion of Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meal in the diet of laying birds in the first trimester (3 months) of laying did not impact negatively on the bird’s overall performance and can be used in laying birds up to the level of 2.0 kg/100kg of diet in laying birds.