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Dec 31, 2025Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Nutritional and Phytochemical Profile of Piper guineense and Its Effects on Thermoregulation, Serum Biochemical and Gut Morphological Indices of Broilers in Two Housing Systems
Abstract
A study was conducted to assess the proximate composition and phytochemical profile of Piper guineense leaves and seeds, as well as their effects on thermoregulatory response, serum indices, and gut morphological parameters of broiler chickens reared under different housing systems. The leaves were harvested, air-dried, pulverized, and pooled, while the seeds were sorted, pulverized, and stored in airtight containers. Samples of both ingredients were analysed in the laboratory to determine their nutritional and phytochemical properties. A total of 288 one-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were allotted to a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement, consisting of two housing systems (deep litter and battery cage) and four dietary inclusion levels of Piper guineense leaf and seed (0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%) in a 2:1 ratio. Thermoregulatory data were collected weekly throughout the six-week feeding trial. Two birds per replicate were selected for blood and gut health assessments on day 42. The data generated were subjected to a 2-way analysis of variance using SAS (2010). Results showed that all thermoregulatory parameters were influenced by the housing system, while pulse rate and breathing rate were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary inclusion of Piper guineense, with optimal responses observed at the 1.5% inclusion level. Serum biochemical indices were statistically similar across housing systems and dietary inclusion levels. Regarding gut morphology, parameters such as jejunum weight, ileum length and weight, colon weight, and caecum length were significantly influenced by the interaction between housing system and Piper guineense inclusion levels. Although housing type alone did not significantly affect most gut parameters, Piper guineense supplementation improved gut morphology, with notable enhancements at the 0.5% and 1% inclusion levels. In conclusion, broiler chickens reared on deep litter had better gut development, while their counterparts in a battery cage exhibited better thermoregulation. Additionally, dietary inclusion of Piper guineense should not exceed 1% in the ration of broiler chickens to avoid negative effects on birds' welfare and gut health.
