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Effect of Trichanthera gigantea (Ketum Ayam) Leaf Supplementation on Growth Performance, Ileal Histomorphology and Caecal Microflora in Saga Chickens

Kathiraser, T.*, Bidin, H., Mohd Abdul Nasir, N.R.A., Mat Saad, S.M., Wan Md Zain, W.S. and Samat, N.

Livestock Science Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2026 29(1): 1-10

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The Saga chicken, developed to support sustainable poultry production in Malaysia, is valued for its meat quality but constrained by a relatively slow growth rate. It is essential to identify effective, locally available feed supplements to improve its productivity and sustainability. Trichanthera gigantea (Ketum Ayam) leaf meal has been traditionally used in poultry feeding, however, its effects on growth performance and intestinal integrity in Saga chickens is still lacking. This study evaluated the effects of dried Trichanthera gigantea leaf meal in varying inclusion levels (0%, 1%, 3% and 5%) on the body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, ileal histomorphology and caecal coliform count in 120 four-week old male Saga chickens over an eight-week feeding trial. Body weight gain was optimal at the 1% inclusion level (P<0.05), whereas feed intake, feed conversion ratio and coliform counts were not significantly affected (P>0.05), suggesting preserved feed efficiency and microbial stability. Birds fed with 1% Trichanthera gigantea also exhibited significantly improved ileal morphology, characterised by reduced crypt depth and a higher villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (P<0.05), indicating enhanced intestinal absorptive capacity. These results confirm that 1% Trichanthera gigantea supplementation provides optimal intestinal integrity, supporting enhanced nutrient utilisation and offering a sustainable strategy to improve the productivity of the Saga chickens.