EFFECT OF AQUEOUS BLEND OF THREE HERBS FED AT DIFFERENT DOSAGE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of aqueous blend of three herbs on the growth performance in broiler chickens. A total of 270-day old chicks were purchased from a hatchery and were randomly allotted to Nine treatments. Treatment 1 50 mL of Scent leaf aqueous blend, Treatment 2 50 mL of Garlic aqueous blend (GIAB), Treatment 3 50 mL of Ginger aqueous blend, Treatment 4 75mL of Scent leaf aqueous blend, Treatment 5 75mL of Garlic aqueous blend, Treatment 6 75mL of Ginger aqueous blend, Treatment 7 100mL Scent leaf aqueous blend, Treatment 8 100mL of Garlic aqueous blend,and Treatment 9 100mL of Ginger aqueous blend in a 3 by 3 factorial experimental design. The level of inclusion had no significant effect on the water intake, feed intake, weight gain, and FCR. A significant (P<0.05) difference was observed in the group fed ginger containing water as they had the highest feed intake, weight gain and best feed conversion ratio value of 2956.8 g, 1746.67 g and 1.76 respectively. In the interactive effect, there were significant (p<0.05) differences in the paremeters measured. Broiler chickens fed GIAB at 50ml/litre had the highest feed intake (3007.33) while those fed GIAB at 100ml/litre had the highest weight gain (1866.67) and best FCR (1.57). From the results of this study, it was concluded that birds fed GIAB containing water performed better than the other groups. Birds fed 100 ml/litre of GIAB have the highest weight gain and better feed conversion ratio. Therefore, inclusion of ginger aqueous blends at 100ml/litre is recommended