Effect of a phytogenic mixture of Gum Arabic seeds, bitter leaf, and neem leaf on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens in semi-arid Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of phytogenic feed additives in broiler chicken nutrition has increased because of the need for natural alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters. This study assessed the effect of a phytogenic mixture containing gum Arabic tree seeds, bitter leaf, and neem leaf on the performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens during the finisher phase under semi-arid conditions in Sokoto, Nigeria. Four finisher diets were compared: 30 g phytogenic mixture (PM), 40 g PM, 50 g PM, and 0 g PM as the control. The diets were formulated to contain approximately 20.0% crude protein and 2815 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Performance indices measured were total feed intake, average feed intake per bird per day, total body weight, body weight per bird per day, total body weight gain, body weight gain per bird per day, feed conversion ratio, and percentage mortality. Carcass traits evaluated included breast, thigh, drumstick, wing, back, and neck weights. The results showed that graded levels of the phytogenic mixture had no significant effect on growth performance parameters or mortality (P > 0.05). Most carcass traits were not significantly affected by treatment (P > 0.05), except neck weight, which differed significantly (P < .05). The control group recorded the highest neck weight (74.20 g), whereas birds fed 30 g PM had the lowest neck weight (60.80 g). It was concluded that inclusion of the phytogenic mixture up to 50 g in broiler finisher diets did not adversely affect performance or carcass yield and may sustain comparable production under semi-arid conditions.