Effects of Graded Levels of Joy Perfume Tree (Pentadiplandra brazzeana) Powder in Drinking Water on Growth Performance, Gut Microbiota and Haemato-Biochemical Parameters of Broiler Chickens

摘要

The restriction of antibiotic growth promoters in livestock nutrition has led to a growing interest in plant feed additives. This study was designed to assess the production performance of broiler chickens fed on graded levels of Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder in drinking water. A total of 448 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to seven treatment groups with 4 replicates of 16 birds each (08 males and 08 females). Pentadiplandra brazzeana root was grounded and incorporated at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 g/L of drinking water. Control rations consisted of diet without any supplement (T0) and antibiotic (1 g/kg) medicated diet (T0+). Throughout the experimental period (49 days) feed intake was not significantly (p > 0.05) affected by graded levels of Pentadiplandra brazzeana except for 5 g/L of water that significantly (p < 0.05) decreased feed intake. Weight gain was significantly higher (p < 0.05) with 1, 2 and 3 g/L, while feed conversion ratio was significantly lower (p < 0.05) with the same treatments compared to the control group (T0). Chickens fed on 1 g Pentadiplandra brazzeana/L recorded a higher (p < 0.05) carcass yield compared to the control ration (T0). Haematological parameters were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected irrespective of the level of incorporation of the test spice in drinking water. Serum content in urea was significantly lower (p < 0.05) with 3 g Pentadiplandra brazzeana/L compared to all other treatments. ASAT, ALAT, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL-cholesterol were not significantly affected by the inclusion of Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder in drinking water. Feeding chickens with up to 4 g of Pentadiplandra brazzeana significantly increased (p < 0.05) lactic acid bacteria count. E. coli and salmonella counts significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with the spice in water as compared to the control diet. In conclusion, the administration of up to 3 g of Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder through drinking water can be used as alternative to antibiotics to improve growth performance of broiler chickens.