The tender shoots and leaves of leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) are high in protein and other
nutrients but they also contain the amino acid mimosine which can be toxic to livestock if used
inappropriately. Feeding experiments using Icucaena showed that 5% leucaena leaf meal could be
used in the feed ration for chickens and 10% for pigs, but there was no advantage and a suggestion
of slightly reduced liveweight gains and toxicity in chickens. Feeding 30% tender shoots and
leaves in fresh forage to cattle increased liveweight gains by 32%.