Evaluation of growth performance, carcass and organ weights of broiler finisher birds administered aqueous extracts of <i>Garcinia kola</i> seeds

Abstract

A total of one hundred and thirty five broiler finisher birds were used in this study which lasted for 28 days. The birds were randomly assigned to three experimental treatments; T₁ , T₂ and T₃ , containing 0.0, 15.0 and 30.0 g/L of ground Garcinia kola seeds, respectively. Growth performance of the broiler finisher birds recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher final body weight in treated birds than control birds. Similar significant (P<0.05) trend was observed in total weight and daily weight gains. Feed conversion ratio was significantly (P<0.05) lower in treated birds than control birds. Carcass parameters and internal organ weights of the birds recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher carcass yield in T₂ (89.39 %) and T₃ (89.68 %) than in T₁ (85.53 %). Percentage breast weight of the birds significantly (P<0.05) increased in a dose dependent manner in the experimental birds (T₁ = 18.30 %; T₂ = 20.22 %; T₃ = 35.12 %). Percent thighs weight was significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₂ (30.97 %) than in T₁ (18.59 %) and T₃ (18.47 %), which were similar (P>0.05). Internal organs evaluation only 3 recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher percent weight in the gizzards of the birds on T₁ (2.00 1 %) and T₂ (1.90 %) than the birds on T₃ (1.41 %). The results of this study shows that, besides enhanced growth in broiler finisher birds, aqueous extracts of Garcinia kola seeds can be used to alter the normal allometric or differential growth pattern in broiler finisher birds to stimulate significant weight increase in the breast and thigh muscles.

Keywords: broiler finisher, growth, carcass and organs weights, Garcinia kola seed extracts