CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKEN FED AFRICAN PARQUETINA

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Africana Parquetina (Parquetina nigrescens) as a phytogenic feed additive (PFA) on carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. One hundred and twenty day old Arbor Acres broiler chicken were assigned to four dietary treatment with thirty birds in a Completely Randomized Design with the inclusion level 12.5g of antibiotics, 50g of Parquetina nigrescens powdery extract, 75g Parquetina nigrescens powdery extract and 100g Parquetina nigrescens powdery extract. The thirty chicks were subdivided into 3 replicates of 10 birds each at finisher phase. Feed and water were given appropriately and recorded. Carcass parameters measured were live weight, dead weight, eviscerated weight, primal cuts (thigh, drumstick, breast and wing) and internal organs (gizzard, liver, kidney, heart, proventriculus, ileum, duodenum, jejunum, spleen, back). The result of the carcass parameters of the birds showed that there was no significant differences (P>0.05) in the cut parts and primal cuts. This study revealed that the inclusion of Parquetina nigrescens has no detrimental effect on the carcass parameter, organ weight and primal cut values of the experimental birds but improved the average body weight and live ability of the birds at the inclusion level at 50g/25kg.