GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT AND INTERNAL ORGAN WEIGHTS OF BROILER CHICKENS OFFERED ADDITIVES PRODUCED FROM ASPILIA AFRICANA LEAF EXTRACTS

Abstract

The effect of additives produced from Aspilia africana leaves using different extraction methods on the seventh day gastrointestinal tract components and internal organ weightof broiler chicken was studied. Fresh Aspilia africana leaves were washed in water, shade dried for 48 hours and thereafter, macerated. Extraction of Aspilia africanaleaveswas performed using six methods; water decoction, methanol, and ethanol extraction, followed by microwave assisted repeats of the three-extraction
media. The additive production was completed by the addition of sodium benzoate as preservative and Aspartame® as sweetener to each extract. They were labeled Aspilia africana water decoct (AAWD); Aspilia africana microwave assisted water decoct (AMWD); Aspilia africana ethanol extract (AAEE); Aspilia africana microwave assisted ethanol extract (AMEE); Aspilia africana methanol extract (AAME); Aspilia africana microwave assisted methanol extract (AMME). One hundred and sixty eight 1-day-old broiler chicks were divided into 7 groups of 24 chicks each. Each group was replicated 4 times resulting to 6 chicks per replicate in a 2 x 3 factorial in a completely randomized design experiment. The seven additives (treatments) were randomly assigned to the groups as follows: T1 (control- no additive), T2 (AAWD), T3 (AMWD), T4 (AAEE), T5 (AAEE), T6 (AAME) and T7 (AMME). Each replicate in the experimental group received 2ml of the additive per litre of drinking water daily. Seventh day gastrointestinal tract and internal organ weight results showed that chicks on AAWD additive recorded similar (p>0.05) weight of cropand liver compared with others, and significantly (p<0.05) higher weight of gizzard and large intestine. However, there was a significant (p<0.05) difference in crop weight between the chicks in control and those on additives from other extraction media and method. It is probable that older birds might exhibit marked differences in their response to the additives.