The Effects of Boiled Crotalaria Ochroleuca (Marejea) Seeds in Chickens

Abstract

The effects of boiled seeds of Crotalaria ochroleuca (Marejea) were studied in 2.3 month-old cockerels. The cockerels were randomly divided into four groups of seven each. Group A individuals were fed Broiler Mash (BM) only while group B, C, and D were fed broiler mash mixed with 10%, 30% and 50% boiled marejea seed meal (BMSM) respectively. The experiment lasted for five weeks. The clinical findings were related to the level of BMSM supplementation; group D individuals were the most severely affected, group B was least severely affected while group A individuals were not affected. The clinical signs observed were emaciation, ruffled feathers, anorexia, anaemia, weakness and diarrhoea at terminal stages. Gross findings were clear fluid effusions in body cavities, enlarged mottled liver, enlarged lungs and generalized congestion and petechial haemorrhages. Others were rudimentary wattles, combs, testes, kidneys and spleen. The hearts were enlarged and roundish; microscopically there were generalized congestion, haemorrhages, oedema and megalocytosis of the heart. Others were interstitial pneumonia, necrosis of the hepatocytes and tubular epithelium of the kidneys and generalized endothelial damage. These results did not differ significantly from the ones observed on feeding Marejea Seed Meal (MSM) before treatment as earlier thought. Therefore it was established that boiling marejea seeds did not affect the toxicity of the seed s. It is therefore recommended that in areas where marejea is grown as fodder, free-range chicken should be confined when potential exposure to marejea seeds is imminent