RESEARCH: HOW TO USE ZOBO LEAVES AS SOYA BEAN ALTERNATIVE IN BROILER FEED.

RESEARCH: HOW TO USE ZOBO LEAVES AS SOYA BEAN ALTERNATIVE IN BROILER FEED. Hibiscus sabdariffa commonly referred to as ( ZOBO LEAVES), has various uses and several benefits in man and animals. Its referred to as sobo leaves and has found usefulness in treatment of hypertension, weight control, ant-inflammatory agent, diuretic and as a soothing tea. The leaves are also boiled,flavored and served as a refreshing drink,the leaves can also be used for preparation of jams,jellies and wine. The fiber from the plant have been used to make ropes as a substitute for jute bags. The leaves are known to be a good source of iron,calcium, niacin,vitamin C B vitamins,, carotene as well as manganese. The sobo leaves also contain protein,phosphorus,fat and fiber making it a perfect nutritional meal.Its this nutritional benefit that has been tapped in the poultry industry to reduce cost of production without reducing growth and carcass size of birds by replacing soyabean meal with sobo leaves. RESEARCH: HOW TO USE ZOBO LEAVES AS SOYA BEAN ALTERNATIVE IN BROILER FEED. The research was carried out by Kwari, I. D. and Igwebuike, J. U. of the Department of Animal Science,University of Maiduguri Nigeria, with Diarra, S. S. of the Department of Animal Health and Production Yobe State College of Agriculture, Gujba, Damaturu, Nigeria. The team worked on growth performance and carcass measurement of broilers fed with Hibiscus sabdariffa leaves, and documented their results ; The growth performance and carcass measurements of broiler chickens fed with different levels of raw sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seed meal replacing soyabean meal as the major protein source were investigated in a 63-day. One hundred and fifty day-old Anak-2000 broiler chicks were individually weighed and allotted to five experimental diets in which raw sorrel seed meal (RSSM) replaced soyabean meal at 0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels in diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. The diets and clean drinking water were offered ad libitum throughout the period of the experiment. The results of the study showed among others that final live weight and daily feed intake were depressed above 50% level of soyabean meal replacement with raw sorrel seed meal in the diets. Raw sorrel seed meal can therefore replace soyabean meal up to 50% without adverse effect on broiler performance. The abdominal fat yield was markedly reduced on the RSSM-diets compared to the control. Read full research ;journal of environmental issues and agriculture in developing countries,volume 2 numbers 2 and 3,2010.