Growth Performance, Gut Histology and Anti-Coccidial Effect of Aqueous Blends of Scent Leaf, Ginger and Garlic in Broiler Chicken

Abstract

This study was carried out to know the effects of scent leaf, ginger and garlic aqueous blend on the growth performance and intestinal  coccidial oocysts in starter broiler chicken. One hundred and twenty (Cobb 500) broiler chicks were allotted to four treatments of thirty  birds each and denoted as T1, T2, T3, and T4. The treatments were further subdivided into replicates of (10) birds each. Chicken on  Treatment one (T1) received synthetic drugs, when necessary, in their drinking water while others were given aqueous blends of scent  leaf (SLAE), garlic (GIAE), and ginger (GAAE) in their drinking water at 50ml/litre, respectively. Variations were observed among the  treatments, in final body weight, feed conversion ratio, and coccidial oocysts count (FBW, FCR, and COC). Birds given GAAE in their  drinking water had better FCR (2.31) than SLAE (2.48), GIAE (2.55) and control (3.02). The oocyst count observed from the treatments  varied significantly. The initial oocyst count reveals the presence of coccidial oocyst in the feaces of the chicken across the treatments. A  significant reduction was observed in the oocyst count weekly across the groups but remained higher in the control group until the anti- coccidial drug was administered. Treatment 4 (50 mL/Lit GAAE) shows no egg count (NEC) from the second week. This study concluded  that 50 milliliters of; SLAE, GIAE, and GAAE added to one liter of drinking water can be employed as anti-coccidials and growth boosters in  the production of broiler chickens.