College of Animal Science & Livestock Production

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://ir.funaab.edu.ng/handle/123456789/249

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Browsing College of Animal Science & Livestock Production by Author "LAWAL, MOHAMMED BASHIR"

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    RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIET CONTAINING MIRACLE LEAF
    (2025-06-02) LAWAL, MOHAMMED BASHIR
    ABSTRACT The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and drug residues in animal products has led to stricter regulations on conventional medication use in livestock. Combined with rising public demand for organic and residue-free food, this has spurred interest in phytogenic feed additives. This study evaluated the effect of Bryophyllumpinnatum (B. pinnatum) inclusion on growth performance, blood profile, gut microbiota, carcass traits, and meat quality of broiler chickens over a six-week period. Two hundred day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments (four replicates of 10 birds each): a positive control (0 g/kg B. pinnatum with antibiotics), three treatment groups with 10 g/kg, 15 g/kg, and 20 g/kg B. pinnatum, and a negative control (0 g/kg B. pinnatum, no antibiotics). Data were collected weekly on growth performance, and on days 21 and 42 for blood profile, serum antioxidant activity, and blood lipid profile. On day 42, additional data were collected on carcass characteristics, gut microbiota, fecal oocyst counts, meat antioxidants, and meat lipid profile. All data were analyzed using One-Way Analysis of Variance. At the starter phase, birds fed B. pinnatum or antibiotics showed significantly higher final weight, weight gain, and feed intake compared to the negative control. At the finisher phase, growth performance was not significantly affected by treatment. Hematological indices were influenced by B. pinnatum inclusion, with improved red blood cell indices in birds fed 10 g/kg and 15 g/kg, and reduced white blood cell count at 20 g/kg. Serum biochemical parameters, including total protein, creatinine, and AST, were significantly affected, with the highest total protein and AST in birds fed 20 g/kg. Blood lipid profiles showed reduced cholesterol and LDL in birds fed 15 g/kg and 20 g/kg, while VLDL and triglyceride levels varied among groups. Carcass traits including head, shank, neck, breast, kidney, and abdominal fat percentages were significantly influenced by treatment, although dressing percentage remained unaffected. Gut microbiological analysis showed reduced Salmonella, E. coli, Clostridium, and Aspergillus in birds fed 15 g/kg and 20 g/kg. Total coliform count was lower in the negative control. Meat antioxidant properties were significantly affected, with lower malondialdehyde and higher superoxide dismutase in B. pinnatum groups. Meat lipid profile was also significantly altered, with reduced cholesterol and LDL observed in birds fed B. pinnatum. In conclusion, inclusion of Bryophyllumpinnatum did not affect overall growth performance in broiler chickens but significantly influenced blood indices, serum biochemistry, lipid profile, carcass traits, microbial load, antioxidant status, and meat composition. Birds fed 10 g/kg and 15 g/kg showed better blood indices at the starter phase, while 15 g/kg and 20 g/kg were more effective at the finisher phase. The 20 g/kg level yielded the most favorable serum biochemical results. The study recommends dietary inclusion of B. pinnatum at 10 g/kg and above, as it posed no adverse health effects. Up to 15 g/kg is advisable for supporting health status and immune function, while 20 g/kg may serve as an antimicrobial due to its effect on oocyst and egg count reduction.