GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF FINISHER BROILER CHICKENS FED AQUEOUS Hibiscus Sabdariffa CALYX EXTRACT

Authors

  • P. N. Onu Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
  • F. N. Madubuike Imo State University, Owerri.
  • C. H. Okoh Imo State University, Owerri.
  • M. O. Ajah Imo State University, Owerri.
  • J. O. Uguru Imo State University, Owerri.
  • B. U. Ekenyem Imo State University, Owerri.
  • S. I. Nwite Imo State University, Owerri.
  • R. N. Udeogu Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki
  • C. A. Ajah Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.6910

Keywords:

Carcass characteristics, extract, finisher broilers, Hibiscus sabdariffa, performance

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to investigate the performance and carcass characteristics of finisher broilers fed aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract using 180 COBB broilers. The birds were randomly assigned to five groups of 36 chicks each and replicated 3 times (12 birds each) in a completely randomized design (CRD). Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extracts were administered per litre of drinking at a dose of 0ml for the control (T1). T2. T3, T4, and T5 were served 15 ml, 30 ml, 45 ml and 60 ml Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract/liter of water respectively. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. Results showed that aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extracts had significant (p<0.05) effects on final body weight (FBW), body weight gain (BWG), daily weight gain (DWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the birds. Birds fed Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extracts recorded significantly (p<0.05) heavier FBW, BWG, DWG and superior FCR than the control group. Aqueous Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract had no significant (p>0.05) influence on total feed intake, daily feed intake and daily water intake of the birds. Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract significantly (P<0.05) increased the live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, thigh muscles, breast muscles and the drumstick weight of the treated birds. There was no marked (P>0.05) variations in the weights of the internal organs. It could be concluded that up to 60 ml of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx extract can be used to improve the growth performance of broiler without any adverse effect on the carcass indices of the birds.

Author Biographies

P. N. Onu, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

Department of Animal Science, 

F. N. Madubuike, Imo State University, Owerri.

Department of Animal Science, Imo State University, Owerri

C. H. Okoh, Imo State University, Owerri.

Department of Animal Science, Imo State University, Owerri

M. O. Ajah, Imo State University, Owerri.

* Deprtment of Marketing, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu

J. O. Uguru, Imo State University, Owerri.

Department of Animal Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

B. U. Ekenyem, Imo State University, Owerri.

Department of Animal Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

S. I. Nwite, Imo State University, Owerri.

*Department of Animal Science, Imo State University, Owerri

R. N. Udeogu, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

Department of Animal Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

C. A. Ajah, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

Department of Animal Science, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki

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Published

2024-07-20

How to Cite

Onu, P. N. ., Madubuike, F. N., Okoh, C. H. ., Ajah, M. O. ., Uguru, J. O. ., Ekenyem, B. U. ., Nwite, S. I. ., Udeogu, R. N., & Ajah, C. A. . (2024). GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF FINISHER BROILER CHICKENS FED AQUEOUS Hibiscus Sabdariffa CALYX EXTRACT . Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 1376–1379. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.6910

Issue

2023: NSAP 2023 Proceedings

Section

Articles

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