GUT MORPHOLOGY OF BROILER CHICKENS ADMINISTERED CINNAMON POWDER AS ORGANIC GROWTH PROMOTER

Abstract

This study determined the effect of cinnamon powder on the gut morphology of broiler chickens. One hundred and forty (140) one- day old broiler chicks were distributed into five (5) treatments in a completely randomized design. Treatment 1 (T1) diet contained antibiotics and served as the control; Treatment 2 (T2), Treatment 3 (T3), Treatment 4 (T4) and Treatment 5 (T5) diets contained 1.5g/kg, 3g/kg, 4.5g/kg and 6g/kg cinnamon powder respectively. The study lastedfor 49 days. Intestinal samples were collected from the ileum from one bird per replicate and morphometric indices were determined using computer-aided light microscope. Data were collected on villus height, crypt depth, crypt width and muscle thickness of the intestinal segment, and the average measurement of each selected photo was used for analysis. All data collected were subjected to Analysis of Variance using the general linear model in MINITAB 18. Significant (p< 0.05) means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test as contained in the software. Results at 49 days showed that Birds in treatment 5 had the highest (p<0.05) villi height and depth, cryptal depth and width and muscle thickness. 6g/kg cinnamon inclusion can be recommended for broiler chickens to increase nutrient absorption