The effect of using earthworm (Lumbricus rubellus) meal additives as growth promoters on protein digestibility and performance of intestinal villi

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the effects of earthworm meal (EWM)addition in the diets on digested protein and intestinal villi, using 100-day old broilers of Cobb strain (CP 707) for 35 days. There were four treatments namely R0 : without EWM addition, R1 : 0.5% EWM, R2 : 1% EWM, R3 : 1.5% EWM with three replications, of five chickens each. Digested proteins test was obtained by means of excreta and ileum collection methods using one-way completely randomized design (CRD) then continued by Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). Performance test of intestinal villi was obtained by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that protein digestibility from R3 (91.69%) was similar to (P>0.05) with R1 (90.45%), however it was significantly different (P<0.05) from R0 (81.75%) and R2 (85.99%). The illustration of intestinal villi form showed that the R1, R2 and R3 were better than the control (R0). The addition of earthworm meal to diet as an additive in broilers as growth promoters improved digested proteins enhancement and increased absorption of nutrients through intestinal villi
performance.