Performance, blood parameters and economic indices of broiler chickens fed graded levels of chestnut (Castenea sativa) phytobiotics as replacement for antibiotics growth promoters

Abstract

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the performance, serum, lipid, haematology and economic indices of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with different levels of Chestnut (Castenea sativa) phytobiotic as a replacement for antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs). A total of 300, oneday-old cobb 500 broiler chicks were allotted in a completely randomized design to five dietary treatments each replicated thrice, with 20 chicks per replicate. Chestnut
phytobiotics was included at 0, 100, 125 and 150g/100 Kg diet while Oxytetracycline was included at 111g/100kg diet. Data was collected on growth performance, haematology, serum biochemical parameters, lipid profiles and economic indices. All data collected were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences among treatment means were compared using the Duncan's Multiple Range Test of significance. At the end of the starter
phase, result showed that chicks placed on 100g phytobiotics diet had significantly (P<0.05) high final weight and weight gain than other supplemented diets and control. There was significant (P<0.05) differences in the feed conversion ratio. Feed cost per kilogram gain was significantly lower in chicks fed control diet, followed by phytobiotics, however higher feed cost per kilogram gain was recorded for chicks fed diet containing Oxytetracycline. Weight gain was significantly (P < 0.05) higher on oxytetracycline based diet (1783.2g) for finisher phase however, there was an improved values for chicks placed on phytobiotics. Glucose (206.51mg/dL) was significantly higher in treatment diet that contained oxytetracycline. Haematological indices showed that values for white blood cell (91.90x103/μL) and Heterophils (20.63%) were significantly higher in diets containing oxytetracycline than other treatment groups. Values for red blood cell, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils were significantly (P<0.05) higher in broiler chickens fed diets containing 100g phytobiotics . Chestnut phytobiotics reduced the total cholesterol values from 151.13 - 96.55mg/dL when compared to other treatment groups. There were significant
(P<0.05) differences in all the villi morphometry parameters measured except for crypt depth. The mean yield cost decreased as the level of phytobiotics increased. In conclusion, supplementation of Chestnut phytobiotics reduced total cholesterol and significantly improved the final weight, weight gain, feed cost per Kg gain and feed conversion ratio for both starter and finisher at 100g/100Kg. Chestnut phytobiotic is therefore a potential replacement for antibiotic growth promoters.