Growth performance and carcass characteristics of finisher broiler chickens served carrot leaf extract as a supplementary source of vitamins and minerals

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to study the effects of carrot leaf extract (CLE) supplementation as sources of vitamins and minerals in finisher broiler chickens. A total of two hundred and eight (208), 7 day old birds were used. The birds were grouped into four (4) treatments of fifty-two (52) chicks, each replicated four times with thirteen (13) chicks in a completely randomized design (CRD). Parameters measured and evaluated included feed intake, body weight, body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and mortality. The effects of CLE on carcass characteristics and organs weight were also evaluated. Significantly (P<0.05) higher daily feed intake (92.13g/b) was recorded on the birds received 80ml of CLE compared to any other treatments. The best weight gain was observed on birds served 80ml levels of CLE per litre of water compared to vitalyte (1831.25g/bird) and control (1418.75g/birds) groups. Result showed no significant difference (P>0.05) for the carcass parameters evaluated except for dressing percentage. On the organs weight, no significant effect on heart, pancreas, lung, intestine and spleen were recorded (P>0.05). Based on the result of the study, it could be concluded that giving CLE at 80 ml/litre to finisher broilers in drinking water resulted in better weight gain, feed efficiency and increases feed intake, body weight and carcass yield without adverse effect on the organs and can be used in place of conventional vitamin-mineral premix.