SEED OF PROMISE: EXPLORING PICRALIMA NITIDA SEED POWDER AND AQUEOUS EXTRACT AS GROWTH PROMOTERS IN BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The ban on the sub-therapeutic use of antibiotics in animal nutrition for growth promotion due to antimicrobial resistance has necessitated the need to source alternative photobiotic such as Picralima nitida. This study thereby evaluated the comparative response of broiler chickens to Picralima nitida seed powder (PnSP) and extract (PnSE) in feed or water with or without routine medications. A total of 150 day-old Arbor Acre chicks were randomly allotted to 5 dietary treatments denoted A-E with 3 replicates per treatment. The birds were fed the same basal diet of which control birds were given without PnSP nor PnSE, 0.1% PnSP was added to diets B and C while 25ml/L of PnSE was added to the drinking water of those on treatment D and E with or without medication respectively for 49 days. Average Daily Gain (ADG), Average Daily Feed Intake (ADFI), Feed to Gain Ratio (FGR), blood profile and microbial assay were evaluated. Data collected were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance and treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Results indicated that Final Live Weight (FLW) and ADG (P<0.001) improved with PnSP/PnSE with or without routine medications at the starter phase; however, those on the control diet had the least values for FGR at the finisher and pooled phases. The microbial load was reduced without any damage to the liver and intestine with the use of P. nitida. In conclusion, Picralima nitida improved the performance of the birds; however, the combination of PnSP with synthetic medication was more effective.