African mesquite (Prosopis africana): a potential non-conventional feed resource for poultry

Abstract

The keen competition between the human populace and livestock industry for grains as well as the problem of grain scarcity because of the decline in production as led to the search for alternative feed resources which are not conventional. In light of this challenge. this paper presents a review of research work on the utilization of African mesquite (Prosopis africana) a potential non-conventional feed resource (NCFR) for poultry feeding. Utilization of non-conventional feed resources is one way of achieving sustainable livestock production, to cushion the effect of shortages in animal feedstuff and thereby ensuring a level of nutritional security. African mesquite is a useful multipurpose leguminous tree. The proximate composition as well as the successful inclusion of processed seed meal of African mesquite in chicken diets have been reported by some researchers. The proximate composition of African mesquite seed; crude protein for raw seeds is in the range of 20.50 to 27.67% while that of the processed seeds is from 20.54 to 23.60 %. Crude fibre is within the range of 6.90 to 12.10% and 3.03 to 6.51% for raw and processed seeds, respectively. Ether extract value for raw seeds is between 4.56 and 6.46% whereas the processed seeds range from 3.60 to 12.93%. Ash value is from 4.04 to 6.05% and 4.40 to 5.67% for raw and processed seeds, respectively.