COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SCENT LEAF (Ocimum gratissimum) AND CURRY LEAF (Ocimum canum) MEALS AS PHYTOBIOTICSOURCES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

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Date
2021-03
Authors
SALIHU, Ezekiel Ametuo
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Abstract
Two feeding trials were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum canum and their combinations as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) in broiler chickens.In the first experiment, a total of 396 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were allotted to six dietary treatments each replicated thrice, with 22 chicks in a completely randomized design. Experimental materials were included at 0g for the control, Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum canum each at 400 g and 800 g respectively (T1-T5) while oxytetracycline was used as positive control (T6). In the second experiment, a total of 405 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were allotted randomly to five dietary treatments each replicated thrice, with 27 chicks. Mixture of Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum canum were included at 0g, 75:25, 50:50 and 25:75 (T1-T4) while oxytetracycline was used as positive control (T5).Data were collected on growth parameters, carcass characteristics, haematological parameters, liver function indices, lipid profile, antioxidant capacity, villi morphometric, gut microbial contents and organoleptic properties. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences among treatment means were compared using Tukey procedures.In experiment 1, the growth performance results showed that final weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg gain were significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed diets containing O. gratissimum and O. canum at 800 g per 100kg diets at both the starter and finisher phases. Haematological parameters, liver function parameters and serum lipid profile were significantly (p<0.05) improved and were within normal range reported for healthy chickens. Antioxidant capacity was significantly (p<0.05) improved by supplementation of O. gratissimum and O. canum; with an increase (p<0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (17.94-26.91 IU/mlas against control with 15.45 IU/ml and 14.43 IU/ml for AGP and reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) content. The population of Bacillus and Lactobacillus spp. were significantly (p<0.05) increased while the concentration of Escherichia coli, Clostridium spp., Salmonella spp., Enterobacteriaeae and Pseudomonas spp were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by the inclusion of Ocimum spp. Villi area, villi perimeter, height, width, crypt depth and villi height/crypt depth ratio were significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed dietary supplement of 400 g of O. gratissimum,400 g and 800 g of O. canum and AGP compared to the control. Carcass characteristics of cut parts showed that birds on 400 g of O. gratissimum, 800 g of O. canum and AGPs had higher (p<0.05) drumstick and breast cut percentages. Liver, kidney and heart weights were significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed diets containing Ocimum spp. at 800 g/100kg diets. Abdominal fat were lower inbirds fed diets containing O. gratissimum and O. canum at 800 g/100kg diets. The result of sensory analysis showed that meat of the broiler chickens in the treatment groups supplemented with O. gratissimum and O. canum had higher eating and sensory attributes.In experiment 2, the growth performance results showed that final weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and feed cost per kg gain were significantly (p<0.05) higher in birds fed diets containing combinations ofO. gratissimum and O. canum at 600:200, 400:400 and 200:600 g per 100kg diets at both the starter and finisher phases.Haematological parameters, liver function parameters,serum lipid profile and antioxidant activities were significantly (p<0.05) improved.Ilea and caecal microbial population of Bacillus and Lactobacillus spp. were increased while the concentration of pathogenic bacteria were reduced by the inclusion of Ocimum spp.Villi area, villi perimeter, height, width, crypt depth and villi height/crypt depth ratio were higher (p<0.05) in birds fed dietary combinations of O. gratissimum and O. canum and AGP compared to the control.Cut parts were similar statistically but organs weights were significantly (p<0.05)increased while abdominal fat contents were reducedin birds fed combinations of the PFAs (p<0.05). Eating quality of the meat were ranked higher in birds fed higher levels of O. gratissimum.Inclusion of O. gratissimum and O. canum in broiler chickens diets singly or in combinations significantly improved performance with no adverse effect to the health status of the chickens. Farmers and feed millers can useO. gratissimum and O. canum each at800 g/100kg diets or their combinations at200:600 g/100kg diets at both the starter and finisher phases for improved performance
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A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ANIMAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA
Keywords
COMPARATIVE EVALUATION,, SCENT LEAF,, (Ocimum gratissimum),, CURRY LEAF,, (Ocimum canum),, MEALS,, PHYTOBIOTICSOURCES,, PERFORMANCE,, BROILER CHICKENS.
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