GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SERUM OXIDATIVE BIOMARKERS IN BROILER STARTER FED PHYTOADDITIVES-SUPPLEMENTED DIETS

Abstract

Phyto-additives, such as pawpaw, neem, and bitter leaves, have been explored as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in enhancing the performance of animals. However, the influence of the combinations of the different phyto-additives on the growth and serum biomarkers of broiler chickens has not been  lucidated. In a 14-day feeding trial, two hundred 14-day old Abor Acre broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments in a completely randomized design, with 5 replicates per treatment and 8 birds per replicate. Treatment 1 contained no phyto-additive supplementation. Treatment 2 was supplemented with 1.5%PL+0.5%BL. Treatment 3 was supplemented with 1.5%PL+0.5%NL. Treatment 4 was supplemented with 0.5%NL+0.5%BL. Treatment 5 was supplemented with 1.5%PL+0.5%NL+0.5%BL. Growth performance indices were measured, and blood samples were analyzed for serum antioxidant parameters. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in the birds' average daily weight gain (ADWG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). Birds fed 1.5%PL+0.5%NL+0.5%BL diet had higher ADWG (32.55 g/bird) than those fed 1.5%PL+0.5%NL (22.76 g/bird) but similar to other treatment groups. Furthermore, birds fed BD+0.5%BL+0.5%NL diet had higher ADFI (62.82 g/bird) than those fed 1.5%PL+0.5%NL (48.40 g/bird) but similar to other treatment groups. Birds fed control had lower malondialdehyde (1.08 µM) than other treatment groups but was similar to those fed 1.5%PL+0.5%NL (1.46 µM). Similarly, birds fed control had higher catalase (14.70 U/ml) than other treatment groups. In conclusion, phyto-additive supplementation slightly improves growth performance, and negatively impacted serum antioxidant parameters of the birds.