GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF BROILER FINISHER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING VARYING LEVELS OF GARLIC (Allium sativum L.) SUPPLEMENTATION

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect ofgarlic (Allium sativum L.) supplementation on growth performance and serum biochemistry of broiler finisher chickens. One hundred and twenty (120) day-old Abor acre strain of broiler chicks were used for the study. The chicks were randomly allotted to four treatments each replicated thrice with ten chicks per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Garlic was supplemented in the diets at graded levels of 0.0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % in treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Parameters measured were initial weights, final weights, weight gains and feed intake. Feed cost per gain was calculated, while mortality was recorded as it occurred. Three (3) mls of blood sample was collected via the wing web of three chickens from each replicate for determination of serum biochemistry. Results showed that there was a non-significant (P<0.05) increase in weight gain across the treatments. However, it improved by 3.8 % at 2.0 % level of garlic supplementation. Feed intake increased by 3.24 % at 1.5 and 2.0 % levels of garlic supplementation while feed cost /kg gain increased by ₦40.74 at 1.5% level of garlic supplementation. Serum biochemical parameters fell within the reference ranges for healthy chickens. Cholesterol levels significantly (P<0.05) reduced as levels of garlic supplementation increased in the diets. The study observed that garlic supplementation in broiler diets at 0.0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 % did not remarkably improve growth performance in broiler chickens. The study concluded that garlic can be supplemented in broiler diets at 2.0 % for a slight improvement in growth performance.