Growth Performance of Broiler Chicks Fed Methanol Extracts of Different Medicinal Plants
2024
Nwankwo, A.C. | Onunkwo, D.N. | Nwankwo, K.C.
The use of plant extracts as alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production has gained attention due to concerns over antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic residues in meat. This study evaluates the effect of methanol extracts of Ficus exasperata, Eucalyptus globulus, Bauhinia purpurea, and Costus afer on the growth performance of broiler chicks. A total of 150 unsexed Ross strain broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups with 30 birds per treatment, replicated three times in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments included T1 (Control), T2 (Ficus exasperata), T3 (Eucalyptus globulus), T4 (Bauhinia purpurea), and T5 (Costus afer). The study lasted for 46 days, with data collected on feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) at both starter and finisher phases. Results showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) in body weight gain, feed intake, and FCR across treatments. However, Ficus exasperata (T2) exhibited the highest numerical weight gain and best FCR, suggesting a potential growth-promoting effect. Internal organ proportions were not significantly affected, except for the spleen and intestine weights, which were higher in T4 (Bauhinia purpurea-fed birds). These findings suggest that Ficus exasperata could be further explored as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production.
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