Enhancing broiler growth and health through baobab pulp supplementation as a natural source of vitamin C

Abstract

Baobab fruit pulp is rich in essential nutrients and can serve as an antioxidant during heat stress. This study was conducted to ascertain the effect of varying levels (0, 68, 136 and 204 mg of Vit C/kg diet) of Baobab fruit pulp meal as a source of vitamin C in the diet of heat stressed broiler chickens. 256 day old broiler chicks (Ross) were used for this study, 64 chicks were allotted to each treatment and replicated four times in a completely randomized design. Data obtained during the period of this study were subjected to general linear model of SAS and means were separated using Tukey’s procedure. The result obtained revealed that the growth performance of the birds were similar (p>0.05). Broilers fed diet supplemented with vitamin C at 68mg/kg had better (p<0.05) feedcost/gain but similar to that of the control. Percentage of phosphorus in the tibia bone was higher (p<0.05) in all groups except for 204mg vitamin C supplemented group. Conversely, the control group exhibited an increased (p<0.05)
calcium retention. The weight of the wing was observed to be higher (p<0.05) in broilers fed the control diet, 68mg and 136 mg/kg supplementation with vitamin c. the intestinal crypt depth and villus area improved (p<0.05) when 204mg of vitamin C was supplemented in the diet of the birds. The index of tibia growth and development (weight/length) and its robusticity were better expressed in birds that received no vitamin C and those that were fed the control diet and diet supplemented with 68mg of vit
c/kg diet. Hence, it was concluded that addition of vitamin C to the diet of broilers even at minimal level (68 mg/kg) improved the wellbeing of the birds and was also cost effective.