Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Echague, Isabela

CAPSULE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

TITLE: AVOCADO LEAF MEAL ( Persea americana ) AS FED DIET ON THE

PERFOMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN

A. Objective of the Study

The general objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Avocado leaf meal ( Persea

americana) as fed diet on the performance of broilers.

Specifically, it aimed to:

1. Determine the Avocado leaf meal as fed diet on the growth performance of broilers in terms of

body weight, percentage rate of growth, feed consumption, gain in weight, feed conversion, ratio

and efficiency;

2. Evaluate the economy of feeding of Avocado leaf meal to broiler in terms of the return above

feed cost; and

3. Determine which level of Avocado leaf meal could be most effective on the growth

performance of broilers; and,

AVOCADO LEAF MEAL ( Persea americana ) AS FED DIET ON THE PERFORMANCE

OF BROILER CHICKEN

JEREMY S. TOMAS

==================

THESIS OUTLINE

==================

Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Echague, Isabela

2019
 APPROVAL SHEET
The thesis outline attached here to, entitled “AVOCADO LEAF MEAL (Persea
americana ) AS FED DIET ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKEN.”,
prepared and submitted by JEREMY S. TOMAS, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
the degree, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE major in ANIMAL SCIENCE
is hereby endorsed.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE

OLIVA M. GAFFUD, Ph.D . ___________________________

Adviser Date

ALFORD GLENN C. MANGOBA ___________________________

Member Date

JOEL L. REYES, Ph.D. ___________________________

Member Date

______________________________________________________________________________
Accepted as a partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE, major in ANIMAL SCIENCE.

APPROVED:

DIOSDADO C. CAÑETE, Ph.D. ___________________________

Research & Development Coordinator Date

OLIVA M. GAFFUD, Ph.D. ___________________________

Chairman, AS Department Date

JOEL L. REYES, Ph.D. ___________________________

College Dean Date

Recorded:
AMBROCIA A. GAFFUD, Ph.D. ____________________________
University Registrar Date
AVOCADO LEAF MEAL (Persea americana) AS FED DIET ON THE PERFORMANCE

OF BROILER CHICKEN1/

JEREMY S. TOMAS

====================================================================
1/

Thesis outline presented to the Faculty of the Animal Science Department, College of
Agriculture, Isabela State University, Echague Isabela, in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Science for the School Year
2018-2019.Thesis No.______________. Department contribution No.______________.
Prepared in the College of Agriculture under the supervision and guidance of Dr. OLIVA M.
GAFFUD, Ph. D.

I. INTRODUCTION

B. Importance of the Study

Poultry is the most progressive animal enterprise today. It is one of the world’s major and

fastest producers of meat while in the Philippines; it has been a significant contributor to the

country's agriculture sector.

In 2010, the chicken population in the Philippines was estimated 159 million, slightly

higher (0.2 percent) than last year’s level. Layer and native chicken inventory grew by 13 and 2

percent, respectively. Almost 50 percent of the total chicken population was accounted for native

or village chicken raised in backyard farms while the remaining 32.8% (broilers) and 18%

(layers) were taken up by commercial broilers.

Despite the level of sophistication it has achieved, the local industry is still faced with

problems that deter its further development.

 The Philippine broiler industry is now faced with the challenge of beefing up production

through importation of chicken meat and chicken meat cuts. Although some broiler integrators

are exporting increasing volumes of broiler meat, a significant quantity of cut-up broiler meat is

also being imported into the country.

In addition, among the recent problems encountered by poultry producers worldwide is

the apparent reduction of chicken meat consumption that is brought about by the major outbreak

of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and Ebola Reston virus. These events caused the

exceedingly high prices of broiler meat and a buildup in inventory. Regardless of the indications

of decline of competitiveness in international relations and the huge difficulties in production,

the country has efficiently marshaled all resources to prevail over the glitches and the potential

of the poultry industry remains high so far.

Animals need adequate amounts of all the necessary nutrients in order for them to stay

healthy and productive and basically these required nutrients varies in the quantity depending on

its species, age productive state, environmental condition and lastly to its disease status

(Anonymous 2011). Aviagen (2009) stated that

successful broiler production dependents upon supplying the birds with feed of the

highest achievable quality, in terms of ingredients used, processing procedures applied and

finally the form in which the feed is presented to the birds.

As cited by Alalade and Iyayi (2006) the greens (green plants) have long been recognized

as the cheapest and most abundant potential source of proteins because of their ability to

synthesize amino acids from a wide range of virtually unlimited and readily available primary

materials.
 Appear not to accumulate secondary plant compounds and therefore offer a greater

potential than tree leaves as a source of protein for monogastric animals. Of these species,

The avocado (Persea americana) is a tree, long thought to have originated in South
Central Mexico, classified as a member of the flowering plant family Lauraceae. Avocados are
commercially valuable and are cultivated in tropical and Mediterranean climates throughout the
world.

C. Objective of the Study

The general objective of this study will be evaluating the effect of Avocado leaf meal (Persea
americana) as fed diet on the performance of broilers.

Specifically, it aimed to:

1. Determine the Avocado leaf meal as fed diet on the growth performance of broilers in
terms of body weight, percentage rate of growth, feed consumption, gain in weight, feed
conversion, ratio and efficiency;

2. Evaluate the economy of feeding of Avocado leaf meal to broiler in terms of the return
above feed cost; and

3. Determine which level of Avocado leaf mealcould be most effective on the growth
performance of broilers; and,

D. Time and Place of the Study

The study will be conducted at the Poultry Production, Animal Science Department, College
of Agriculture, Isabela State University, Echague Isabela from _______ to ______ 20__.

E. Scope and Definition of the Study

 The study will be focus mainly on the effects of Avocado leaf meal (Persea americana)
as fed diet on the performance of broiler chicken in terms of body weight, gain in weight,
percentage rate of growth, feed and supplement consumption, dressing percentage and feed
conversion ratio and efficiency.

F. Definition of Terms

The following are words used in the study for better understanding:

Avocado. The avocado (Persea americana) is a tree, long thought to have originated in
South Central Mexico, classified as a member of the flowering plant family Lauraceae. The fruit
of the plant, also called an avocado (or avocado pear or alligator pear), is botanically a
large berry containing a single large seed known as a "pit" or a "stone"

Additives.A substance added to something in small quantities, typically to improve or

preserve it.

Ad-libitum. It refers to the availability of feeds where animals/birds are full fed or
allowed to eat as much as they can from start to market.

Broiler. It is any young bird, grown usually for six (6) weeks in order that it may weight
one kilogram after that period.

Brooding. It is the process of subjecting young animals to heat and warmth in order to
increase their chances of survival.

Chicks. These are young poultry birds regardless of sex.

Confined Rearing. A confined space is any place which is completely or partly enclosed
and where it is foreseeable that hazardous substances or conditions either inside it or nearby may
cause a risk.

Diet. This is to refers to regulated selection of mixture of feedstuff provided on a

continuous or prescribed schedule to balance diet supplies on nutrients needed for normal health
and productive function.
 Dressing Percentage. Percent yield of carcass, determined as the weight of dressed
chicken divided by its live weight then multiplied to 100.

Dress Weight. Refers to the weight of dressed bird without its feather, head, and visceral
organ.

Feed Additives. Food supplement for farm animals that cannot get enough nutrients from
regular meals that the farmer provided and include vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, and
minerals.

Feed Conversion Efficiency. It is an expression of efficiency of broiler to convert feed

into a kilo of meat.

Feed Conversion Ratio. It refers to the amount of feed required to produce gain in
weight of birds.

Feeding. It is the act, process, or manner of giving the right kind, amount and quality of
feeds at the right age of animals.

Final Weight.Refers to the weight of bird at the end of the experimental period.

Gain in weight. Refers to the difference between initial weights to current weight.

Giblet. It is an edible visceral organ of animal especially those that belongs to the avian
family.

Growth. It is the increase size and weight of chicken in a definite interval of times.

Mortality.Refers to the number of birds that died in the herd within the duration of the
study.

Performance. Refers to the reaction of the broiler to its environment.

Poultry. It is a collective term used to designate a group of domestic birds rendering

economic services and benefits to man.
 Replication. Refers to the repetition of the experimental treatment to compare the result
of each other.

Supplement. One of the mixtures of feed ingredients that supplied the minimum
quantities for the purpose of supplying the needed nutrients to improve the performance of the
broilers.
 II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Botanical Description of Avocado

Taxonomy

Current name: Persea Americana

Authority: Miller

Family: Lauraceae.

Common names

English: alligator pear, avocado, avocado-pear, butter fruit

Filipino: avocado

French: avocat, avocatier, zabelbok, zaboka

German: Alligatorbirne, Avocadobirne

Indonesian: adpukat, avokad

Spanish: aguacate, pagua

P. americana is a medium to large tree, 9-20 m in height. Avocado tree is distributed

geographically. The avocado is classified as an evergreen, although some varieties lose their leaves

for a short time before flowering. The tree canopy ranges from low, dense, and symmetrical to

upright and asymmetrical. Leaves are 7-41 cm in length and variable in shape (elliptic, oval, and
lanceolate). They are often pubescent and reddish when young, becoming smooth, leathery, and

dark green when mature. Flowers are yellowish green and 1-1.3 cm in diameter. The many-

flowered inflorescences are borne in a pseudoterminal position.

The central axis of the inflorescence terminates in a shoot. The fruit is a berry, consisting of a

single large seed, surrounded by a buttery pulp. It contains 3-30% oil (Florida varieties range from

3% to 15%). The skin is variable in thickness and texture. Fruit color at maturity is green, black,

purple, or reddish, depending on the variety. Fruit shape ranges from spherical to pyriform, and

weighs up to 2.3 kg.

The avocado ( Persea americana ) is a tree, long thought to have originated in South

Central Mexico classified as a member of the flowering plant family Lauraceae. Fruit of the plant,

also called an avocado (or avocado pear or alligator pear), is botanically a large berry containing

a single large seed. Avocados are commercially valuable and are cultivated in tropical

and Mediterranean climates throughout the world. They have a green-skinned, fleshy body that

may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical. Commercially, they ripen after harvesting. Avocado

trees are partially self-pollinating and are often propagated through grafting to maintain a

predictable quality and quantity of the fruit. Persea americana is a tree that grows to 20 m (66 ft),

with alternately arranged leaves 12–25 cm (4.7–9.8 in) long. Panicles of flowers with deciduous

bracts arise from new growth or the axils of leaves. The flowersare inconspicuous, greenish-

yellow, 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide.

The species is variable because of selection pressure by humans to produce larger flesher fruits

with a thinner exocarp. The avocado fruit is a climacteric, single-seeded berry, due to the

imperceptible endocarp covering the seed, rather than a drupe. The pear-shaped fruit is 7–20 cm
(2.8–7.9 in) long, weighs between 100 and 1,000 g (3.5 and 35.3 oz), and has a large central seed,

5–6.4 cm (2.0–2.5 in) long.

The Nutrients composition of Avocado Leaf

Avocado leaves are richer in proteins and fiber than the fruit or the seed. There’s about

25.54 g protein and 38.40 g fiber per 100 g of the leaf, while the fruit contains only 1.60 g and

2.06 g of protein and fiber, respectively. Avocado leaves also contain a higher amount

of healthy plant chemicals such as flavonoids and phenols than the fruit or the seed. Flavonoids

are antioxidants that show anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer

activities and protect our nerve cells from degeneration. Phenols are antioxidants that prevent

oxidative damage to biomolecules such as DNA, lipids, and proteins. Oxidative damage plays

a role in chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Plant phenols are capable

of interfering with the cancer process, potentially resulting in the reduction of cancer risk.

African traditional medicine advocates the use of avocado leaves to treat convulsions and

epilepsy in children. An animal study validated this usage too. It treated mice with artificially

induced convulsions with an aqueous extract of avocado leaves. It was found that in the

majority of the cases, the extract prevented the seizure or delayed it, possibly by increasing the

activity of the GABA neurotransmitter in the brain that reduces nervous activity.
 III. METHODOLOGY

A. Experimental House

A readily constructed experimental broiler house made of locally available materials like

galvanized iron; sheets, lumber and chicken wire will be used in the study. The experimental house

measures 2.5x6 meters and it will be divided into twelve pens with a measure of 1.0x1.5 meters

each.

B. Management of Birds

A total of 120 broiler chicks will be used in the study. The Bird was randomly distributed into

four (4) treatments. Each treatment will be replicated thrice to come up with a total of 12

experimental units, with 10 birds per treatment.

C. Procurement of the birds

A total of 120 Broiler chickens will be used in the study. They were purchased from a reliable

store in a nearby town.

D. Sanitation and Hygiene

The facility will be cleaned and disinfected one week before the arrival of the chicks, to

prevent the occurrence of disease caused by harmful microorganism during the study. The area

was kept clean during the duration of the study.

E. Experimental Design and Treatments

 The birds were randomly distributed into four treatments. Each treatment was replicated three

times with the total of 12 experimental units. Ten birds were used per replication. The experiment

was laid out using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with the Following treatments;

The treatments were follows:

T1- (Control) feeds without avocado leaf meal

T2- Mixed feeds with 3% avocado leaf meal

T3- Mixed feeds with 6% avocado leaf meal

T4- Mixed feeds with 9% avocado leaf meal

F. Preparation of Avocado leaf meal

Fresh leaves of avocado will be collected the vicinity of Echague, Isabela. Collected

samples will be washed thoroughly with tap water to remove dirt and debris, drained properly.

Chopped and dry. It was sun dried until it could be milled.

G. Feeding Process

A home mixed ration will be used throughout the study. The ingredient was corn

meal, rice bran, fish meal, molasses, vitamins, and limestone. It was fed to the chicks for a

period of time until they reach the average weight of 1.5 kilogram.

H. Weighing of the Birds

Upon the arrival of the birds the initial weight will be taken and recorded. Weekly weighing

will be done during the entire observation period. The birds will be weighed using a standard

weighing scale before feeding them in the morning.

I. Data to be Gathered
The following data will be gathered and recorded for analysis and evaluation:

1.Initial and Weekly Body Weights. The initial body weight of the birds was taken

upon the arrival. Thereafter, the body weights will be recorded weekly up to the sixth week of

the study.

2.Gain in Weight. The gain in weight of the birds was taken by subtracting the initial

weight from the final weight.

3.Feed Consumption. The feed consumption of the birds in the different treatments was

taken into account the amount of feeds consumed and the amount of feeds offered. The amount

of left-over was subtracted from the feeds offered to determine the actual feed consumption.

4.Percentage Rate of Growth. The percentage rate of growth of the experimental birds

was determined by means of the Asmundson and Leiners formula as follows:

W2 – W1
Growth Rate (%) _____________________ X 100

½ ( W2+W1)

Where:

W1 – the weight of bird at a given period.

W2 – the current weight of bird at a given period.

5.Average Dressing Percentage (with or without Giblets).

The live weight of the two samples from each replication will be weighed

corresponding tags will be placed in the shanks. These will be recorded and used as the

basis in computing the dressing percentage of the birds with and without giblets.

Dressed Weight
Dressing % _______________________ x 100
Live Weight
 6. Liver and Pancreas Weights. The data on liver and pancreas weights will be gathered

and made as basis in determining any possible toxin substance present on the supplemental feed.

7. Feed Conversion Ratio and Efficiency. The feed conversion ratio and efficiency of
the birds will be determined by using the Biddle and Juergensen’s formula which are as follows:

Feed Consumed
Feed Conversion Ratio (kg)______________________x 100
Gain in Weight

Gain in Weight
Feed Conversion Efficiency _______________________ x 100
Feed Consumed

8. Return Above Feed Cost. The return above feed costs was computed at the end of the

experiment by considering the value of the chicken per head, less the cost of feeds consumed.

J. Statistical Analysis of Data.

All gathered data will be tabulated and analyzed using the Completely Randomized

Design (CRD). The Least Significant Differences will be used to compare significant result.
 Experimental Layout

Completely Randomized Design

T1R3 T3R1

T3R3 T1R2

T4R1 T2R1

T3R2 T1R1

T4R3 T2R2

T2R3 T4R2
 Table 1. The Formulated Feed to be used in the Study

Ingredients T1 T2 T3 T4
(%)
Avocado leaf - 3.00 6.00 9.00
meal
Rice Brand 10.00 7 4 1
Fish Meal 5 5 5 5
Soy Bean Meal 25.60 25.60 25.60 25.60
Corn Meal 55 55 55 55
Salt 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.45
Molasses 1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3
Dicaphos 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8
Limestone 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Methionine 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Min./Vit. 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5
Toxin Binder 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
TOTAL 100 100 100 100

CALCULATED ANALYSIS

Ingredients T1 T2 T3 T4
Crude Protein 20.11 20.12 20.13 20.08
(%)
Metabolized 2886.96 2824.80 2830.84 2807.96
Energy (K/cal)

Calcium (%) 0.86 0.82 0.82 0.82

Phosphorous 0.42 0.42 0.41 0.41
(%)
Lysine (%) 1.10 1.09 1.07 1.04
Methionine 0.42 0.41 0.40 0.39
(%)
 III. OBSERVATION AND DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

A. Observation

1. General Vigor of the Birds

2. Mortality

B. Discussion of Result

1. Initial and Weekly Body Weight

2. Gain in Weight

3. Feed Consumption

4. Percentage Rate of Growth

5. Average Dressing Percentage (with and without giblets)

6. Liver and Pancreas Weight

7. Feed Conversion Ratio and Efficiency

8. Income Over Feed and Chick Cost

Literature Site

C. NNAJI 1* AND O. B. OKEREKE Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of

Agriculture, Umudike, P.M.B. 7267 Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria

"What's in a name?". University of California. Retrieved March 27, 2016.

Chen, H; Morrell, P. L; Ashworth, V. E. T. M; de la Cruz, M; Clegg, M. T (2008). "Tracing the
Geographic Origins of Major Avocado Cultivars". Journal of Heredity. 100 (1): 56–
65. doi:10.1093/jhered/esn068. PMID 18779226.

Jump up to:a b c d e f g Morton JF (1987). Avocado; In: Fruits of Warm Climates. Creative
Resource Systems, Inc., Winterville, NC and Center for New Crops & Plant Products,
Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
pp. 91–102. ISBN 978-0-9610184-1-2.

Jump up to:a b Storey, W. B. (1973). "What kind of fruit is the avocado?". California Avocado
Society 1973–74 Yearbook. 57: 70–71.

Anon . New Delhi, India: CSIR; 1986. [accessed on 2008 Jan 16]. The useful plants of India.
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Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA) 1993
Cobley LS, Steele WM. An Introduction to the Botany of Tropical Crops. Longman Group
Limited. 1976
Crane E. Honey: A comprehensive survey. In: Crane E, editor. Bee Research Association; 1976.
Crane E, Walker P. London, UK: International Bee Research Association; 1984. Pollination
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