The effect of Mimosa diplotricha leaf meal on the organ weights and organoleptic properties of three broiler breeds was studied using 120 day-old chicks reared for eight weeks. The work was carried out using randomized complete block design. The breeds namely Arbo Acre, Cobbs and Ross were designated as treatment 1, 2 and 3, respectively with three replicates each. Two diet groups; diet with 2% Mimosa diplotricha leaf meal and diets without the leaf meal were administered. The organ weights and organoleptic properties of the broiler strains were determined. Mimosa diplotricha had no significant effect on the heart, spleen, gizzard and liver weights of the birds. Furthermore, similar spleen weights were obtained across the breeds, while discrepancies were observed in heart, gizzard and liver weights of the breeds. Cobbs best tolerated the leaf meal with respect to organ weights and gave the best taste, flavor intensity and desirability. Results showed that Mimosa diplotricha could be used as a partial replacement of wheat offal in broiler diets. However, lesser concentration may be used for Ross breed. Regardless of feed inclusion, Cobbs is observed as the best breed in comparison to Arbo acre and Ross broilers with respect to organoleptic properties and organ weights.
Keywords: breeds, Mimosa, organ weights, organoleptic

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page………………………………………………………………………………….........………..i
Certification……………………………………………………………….…………….........…………ii
Approval……………………………………….…………………………..…………..….........………..iii
Dedication…………………………………………………………………...……………..........………iv
Acknowledgement………………………………………………….........…………...........………..v
Abstract……………………………………………………………………….…………….............…….vi
Table of Contents……………………………………….……………………………...............……vii
List of Figures………………………………………………….………………………..........…….…..xii
List of Tables……………………………………………………………………………..........……..…xiii
CHAPTER 1……………………………………………………………………………..……....................1
1.0 INTRODUCTION…………………….………………………………………………...........………1
1.1Background Information……………………………………..……..……….……...........….…1
1.2 Statement of the Problem……………………………………………………………………...4
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study……..………………………………………...…………..5
1.4 Justification of the Study…………………………………………………….…...……………..6
CHAPTER 2……………………………………………………………………………................…………7
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………………………………............…..7
2.1 The Nigerian Poultry Industry………………………………………………………………...7 
2.2 Broilers………………………………………………………………………………...............……….11
 2.2.1 Nutrient Requirements of Broilers…………………………………......………………12
 2.2.2 Arbo acre Broiler Breed…………………………………………………….............………15
 2.2.3 Cobbs Broiler Breed…………………………………………………………...............…….17
 2.2.4 Ross Broiler Breed………………………………………………………………................…19
2.3 Alternative Feed Ingredients…………………………………………………….……………21
 2.3.1 Alternative Feed Ingredients in Poultry Production……….....……………….23
 2.3.2 Effects of Alternative Feed Ingredients on Organ Weights and Organoleptic
Properties of Broilers…………………………………………………………………..................….25
2.4 Mimosa diplotricha……………………………………………………………….......…………..28
2.5 Classification and Varieties of Mimosa diplotricha……….………………………28
2.6 Origin and Distribution of Mimosa diplotricha………………….…………….…...29
2.7 Chemical Composition of Mimosa diplotricha…………………….……...…….….30
 2.7.1 Crude Protein Content of Mimosa diplotricha………………………….……....31
 2.7.2 Crude Fiber Content of Mimosa diplotricha……………………………….….…31
 2.7.3 Mineral Content of Mimosa diplotricha…………………………………….….…..31
2.8 Anti-nutritional Factors in Mimosa diplotricha………………………..…….……..32
 2.8.1 Mimosine…………………………………………………………………….…...................….32
 2.8.2 Tannins………………………………………………………………………......................……33
 2.8.3 Oxalates and Phytates…………………………………………………..........………..….33 
2.9 Uses of Mimosa diplotricha……………………………………………………………….…34
2.10 Upgrade of Mimosa for Use in Feed…………………………………..………….….34
2.11 Organ Weights and Organoleptic Properties of Animals fed Mimosa diplotricha…………35
CHAPTER 3………………………..……………………………………………………..............………36
3.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS………………………………………………….……....……36
3.1 Experimental Site………………………………………………………………….……....….…36
3.2 Sources and Processing of Mimosa diplotricha Leaf Meal.…………….…….36
3.3 Feeding Trial…………………………………………………………………………........…..……37
 3.3.1 Experimental Diets………………………………………………………............…..………37
 3.3.2 Experimental Birds……………………………………………………………..............…...43
3.4 Data Collection……………………………………………………………………….....…..……43
 3.4.1 Organ Weights……………………………………………………………….…..............….43
3.4.2 Organoleptic Properties……………………………………………………….........……44
3.5 Statistical Analysis…………………………………………………………………..….…..…..44
CHAPTER 4……………………………………………………….…………………….…...........…..…46
4.0 RESULTS…………………………………..……………………………………….……............….46
4.1 Proximate Analysis of Mimosa diplotricha leaf meal………….…………..….46
4.2 Effects of Mimosa diplotricha Inclusion on the Organ Weights of Broilers………………...47
4.3 Effects of Breeds on the Organ Weights of Broilers………………………......50
4.4 Interaction of Breeds and Feed Inclusion on the Organ Weights of Broilers………………..53 
4.5 Effects of Mimosa diplotricha Inclusion and Breeds on the Organoleptic Properties of
Broilers…………………………………………………………………………...................................56
CHAPTER 5………………………………………..………………………………………...........……59
5.0 DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIO…………………….59
5.1 Discussion………………………………………………………………………………......……59
5.1.1 Effects of Mimosa diplotricha Inclusion and Breeds on the Organ Weights of
Broilers……………………………………………………………………………....................….…..59
5.1.2 Effects of Mimosa diplotricha Inclusion and Breeds on the Organoleptic Properties
of Broilers ………………………………………………………………………..................….……62
5.2 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….....…………...63
5.3 Recommendation…………………………………………………………………………….63