GROWTH RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKENS TO Picralima nitida SEED MEAL AND EXTRACT AS A PHYTOADDITIVE

Abstract

The global ban on synthetic drugs has motivated the need to source alternative biological material that canreplace or complement the activity of synthetic drugs, one of which is Picralima nitida which has good profile of phytoadditives and antimicrobial activity. This study thereby evaluated the growth response of broiler chickens to Picralima nitida seed powder (PnSP) and extract (PnSE) in feed or water with or without routine medications. A total of 150 day-old Arbor Acre chicks were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments denoted A-E with 3 replicates per treatment. The birds were fed the same basal diet of which control birds were without PnSP or PnSE, however, 0.1% PnSP was added to diets B and C while 25ml/L of PnSE was added to the drinking water of those on treatment D and E with or without medication respectively for 49 days and the chickens were treated humanely following the established ethical norms. Final Live Weight (FLW), Average Daily Gain (ADG), Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI), Feed to Gain Ratio (FGR) and survivability were observed. Data collected were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance and treatment means separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results indicated that FLW and ADG (P<0.001) improved with PnSP/PnSE with or without routine medications at the starter phase; however, those on the control diet had the least values for FGR at the finisher and pooled phases. In conclusion, Picralima nitida improved broiler growth performance however; the combination of PnSP with synthetic medication was more effective.