GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS ON ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF Parquetina nigrescens EXTRACT

Abstract

This study evaluated the growth performance of broiler chickens on oral administration of Parquetina nigrescens extract. One hundred and twenty day-old broiler chicks of Arbor Acre strain were procured from a reputable hatchery and brooded for one week. The broiler chickens were randomly allotted to four treatments identified as T1, T2, T3 and T4. Each treatment was replicated three times with ten birds per replicate. Birds on treatment one (T1) served as control those on T2 T3 and T4 received extract of Parquetina nigrescens (EPN) in their drinking water. (T2) received EPN for two consecutive days. (T3) received EPN for 3 consecutive days while (T4) received EPN for 5 consecutive days. Data on feed intake, water intake, weight gained and feed conversion ratio was collected. The data were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and treatment means were compared using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test with the aid of SPSS (version 26.0.0.0) package There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the control group and the treatment groups. Treatment 4 had the highest weight gained value (1431.66 g) and final weight value of (2142.08 g), while treatment 3 had the least feed conversion ratio (FCR) value (1.49). It was concluded that administration of 400g of Parquetina nigrescens/4litre of drinking water enhanced the growth rate of broiler chickens.