Growth performance of and microbial activities in broilers fed supplementary bitter kola (<i>Garcinia kola</i>)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of dietary bitter kola (Garcinia kola) on growth performance and hematological indices of broilers and as antibacterial agent in their diets. Bitter kola seeds were processed into meal (bitter kola seed meal) and analyzed for proximate and phytochemical composition. The meal was then used to make broiler diets at 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% inclusion levels respectively (23%cp for starter and 19%cp for f inisher phases), which were then used to raise groups of 30 broiler chicks for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8 weeks, 4 birds were selected from each group and used for determination of blood indices and internal organ weights. Fecal samples were analyzed for parasite and bacterial load. There were no significant differences in feed intake among the groups (p>0.05) but the group on 2.5% bitter kola diet had significantly (p<0.05) heavier body weight and superior feed conversion ratio. The groups on bitter kola diets developed significantly (p<0.05) heavier livers than the control. There were no significant differences among the groups in most of the hematological indices but bitter kola at 5.0% and 7.5% dietary levels inhibited the growth of Salmonella spp. but had no effects on E. coli.