THE EFFECT OF ALOE VERA LEAF EXTRACT ON THE GROWTH TRAITS OF THREE CHICKEN GENOTYPE CHALLENGED WITH SALMONELLA

Abstract

Aloe vera is gaining popularity in poultry production due to their potential to improve growth performance and overall health. However, limited research has explored the effects of Aloe vera extract on growth traits of chicken genotypes. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the influence of Aloe vera extract on Salmonella infection on the growth of broiler, inbred and local chickens. 600-day old chicks, comprising 200 individuals from each genotype aforementioned, were assigned to four treatment levels of Aloe vera extract (0, 10mL, 15mL and standard drug). Birds were fed broiler
starter at 0-4 weeks and broiler finisher from 0 to 8 weeks. The study lasted for 8 weeks. The body weights of the broiler at starter phase was significantly (p<0.05) higher at weeks 0, 1 and 4, but statistically (p>0.05) similar at weeks 2 and 3 with the inbred. The body weight of broilers and inbred chicken at weeks 1 to 4 were significantly (P> 0.01) higher than local chicken. At the finisher phase body weight of broilers exhibited significant (p<0.05) higher values across all weeks, followed by inbred chickens. Broilers feed consumption was significantly (p<0.05) higher than inbred, which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than local chickens. The findings on interaction suggest that different treatments could have varying impacts. The competing growth between the inbred and broiler at the early ages (2 to 3) consolidates the predictive accuracy of the on-going breeding program among the inbred population. Hence breeders may achieve optimal expression of inbred traits using better environment.