Nutrient digestibility of mulberry leaves(Morus alba)

The current study was conducted to determine
the chemical composition of mulberry
(Morus alba) leaf meal (MLM) and its nutritive
value as a feed ingredient. Fifteen layer and
fifteen broiler chickens were used in the
digestibility trial. The dry matter (DM), crude
protein (CP), ash, fat (EE), crude fibre, neutral
detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre
(ADF), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and
gross energy (GE) content of MLM were analyzed.
The precision-feeding technique was
applied to feed the birds 30 g/kg DM of MLM.
The results showed that MLM contained a high
content of CP (29.8%), Ca (2.73%) and NDF
(35.77%). Layers and broilers chicken could
utilize 73% and 72% of CP, respectively, in
MLM. The nutrient digestibility of DM and NDF
was higher in layers than in broilers. No significant
effect was observed in ME and other
nutrient digestibility between the two classes
of fowls. In general, the incorporation of MLM
into the chickens’ diet could be a good source
of protein despite its high fibre content.