SCEPTICAEMIC COLIFORMS IN BROILER CHICKENS ADMINISTERED EXTRACTS OF MANGO (Mangifera indica) AND NEEM (Azadirachta indica) BARK OBTAINED BY DIFFERENT METHODS

Abstract

Two hundred and eighty-eight-day old broiler chicks were used in a 56 days trial to investigate the effects of different methods of extraction of Mangifera indica (Mango) and Azadirachta indica (Neem) bark extracts on scepticaemic coliforms in broiler chickens. The birds were divided into two groups (144 each) and each group was sub divided into four (4) sub groups comprising of 36 birds replicated thrice with 12 birds each. Each sub group was either administered Mangifera indica or Azadirachta indica extract obtained from different extraction methods; maceration, infusion, decoction and control (antibiotics only). Extracts were administered in water at the rate of 150ml/litre without any antibiotics except the controls. Blood samples were collected at the 4th and 8th weeks to determine the total blood coliform count. Data collected
were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance in a 2 *4 factorial experimental layout. Results obtained showed that the two herbs had similar effects on the total blood coliform counts at starter and finisher phases. Total blood coliform count reduced with respect to different extraction methods as against control at the starter phase, however no significant difference (P>0.05) was observed at the finisher phase. It was concluded that both herbs had similar effects on scepticaemic coliforms. Different methods of extraction reduced coliform counts at starter phase, however, infusion method of extraction was more effective, hence recommended.