CINNAMON-ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION EFFECT ON VISCERAL ORGANS OF BROILER CHICKENS REARED IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Broiler production has been challenged by excessive heat production due to climatic change. This has resulted into oxidative stress , depressed weight gain and growth performance. Phytogenic supplements have been reported to enhance antioxidant enzymes which improves the ability of broilers to cope with stress conditions. Therefore this study was designed to evaluate the visceral organ weights of broiler chicks given cinnamon-zinc supplementation in Nigeria. Two hundred and forty (240) arbor acre broiler chickens with an average initial weight of 40g +_2 were grouped into five treatments (48 chicks/treatment) and randomly replicated thrice with 16 chicks per replicate. Experimental design included T1 (modified cooler environment), T2 no administration (Control), T3-800 mg of Cinnamon powder/kg basal diet, T4-800 mg of Cinnamon powder+40mg Zinc/kg basal diet and T5-1000 mg Cinnamon powder+40mg Zinc/kg basal diet. This study was carried out for 10 weeks with environmental temperature and relative humidity of 30OC and 70% respectively. Parameters measured include; live, liver, lungs, spleen, kidney, gizzard, heart, and small intestine weights. Result revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in relative organ weights of the lung and liver in birds given 1000 mg/kg of Cinnamon powder + 40mg of Zinc per kg basal diet, compared to values across other treatments, while the observed abdominal fat weights reduced in birds given 800 mg/kg basal diet. This revealed that cinnamon-zinc supplementation could be safely used to improve the performance of birds during environmental stress.