GUT MICROBIOTA OF BROILER CHICKENS FED VARYING LEVELS OF Syzygium aromaticum

Abstract

The impact of Syzygium aromaticum on gut microbial of broiler chickens was investigated. One hundred- and ninety-two-day old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were used for the feeding trial. There were four treatments replicated thrice with sixteen birds per replicate corresponding to forty-eight birds per treatment using a Completely Randomized Design. Treatment 1 was the control group; Treatment 2 contained 0.2% Syzygium aromaticum supplemented diet; Treatment 3 contained 0.3% Syzygium aromaticum supplemented diet while Treatment 4 contained 0.4% Syzygium aromaticum supplemented diet. The feeding trial period was 56 days to determine the effect of Syzygium aromaticum on the gut microbiota of broiler chickens The results showed that lactic acid producing bacteria of birds fed control diet and 0.2% Syzygium aromaticum were (P>0.05) similar but significantly (P<0.05) lower than the values recorded for birds fed diets 0.3 and 0.4% Syzygium aromaticum. Total aerobic bacteria values of birds fed control diet was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the values recorded for birds on diets 2, 3 and 4. Coliform bacteria and intestinal negative bacteria of birds fed diet 4 were significantly (P<0.05) lower than those of birds fed control, diets 2 and 3. The supplementation of Syzygium aromaticum in broiler chicken diets influenced the composition of gut microbiota. It reduced harmful bacteria in the gut, suggesting its potential as an antimicrobial agent