Effects Of Graded Levels Of Ethanolic <i>Piliostigma thonningii</i> Bark Extract On Performance Of Broiler Chicken

Abstract

Twenty day old broiler chicks were used to investigate the effects of graded levels of ethanolic Piliostigma thonningii bark extract in diet on feed conversion efficiency and performance. They were divided into four equal groups, maintained on starter feed for 6 weeks and on finisher for another 4 weeks. As from their second week of age those in groups A, B and C were fed diets containing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0mg of the extract per kg feed respectively. Values of the extract were doubled from 7th to 10th week of slaughter age. Control group D received normal diet. Water was provided ad – libitum. Daily feed and water intake, weekly live weight gain, live weight relative to organ weights at slaughter were determined. Faeces were sampled on 4th and 8th weeks for helminth eggs and coccidial cysts. Animal groups fed diets containing plant extract showed short-lived mild neurological symptoms. All groups responded positively to treatment against respiratory distress. Inclusion of plant extract in diets relatively promoted feed conversion efficiency and broiler growth particularly at its threshold level of 1.0 mg/kg feed. Optimum effect of the extract occurred by the 5th week. Feed intake correlated positively with water intake (corr. Coeff. = 0.6-0.8). Traces of eggs and cysts seen in the treatment groups (A,B,&C) differed significantly with those of the control group (.D.)It is concluded that the extract may be included in broiler diet at 1.0mg/kg feed.

KEY WORDS: P. thonningii, feed conversion efficiency, anthelmintic.

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(2) 2005: 201-203