Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Cost-Benefit Analysis of Broiler Chickens Administered Mahogany (Khaya senegalensis) Bark Extractin a Semi-Arid Zone of Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of Mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis) bark extract on growth performance, carcass characteristics and cost-benefit analysis of broiler chickens in the semi-arid zone of Nigeria. A total of two hundred (200) day-old broiler chicks (mixed-sex) were used for the study. The chicks were weighed and allotted to five (5) treatments of aqueous mahogany bark extract (AMBE) in groups of forty (40) and replicated four (4) times in groups of ten (10) chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Treatment 1 was the control having 0.00 ml/l of AMBE while treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were given 12.50, 25.00, 37.50 and 50.00 ml per litre of aqueous mahogany bark extract. The experiment lasted for a period of eight (8) weeks (56 days). Data on growth performance, carcass characteristics and cost effectiveness were collected and analyzed. The results of final weight, total weight gain, average daily weight gain, total feed intake, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR) showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the treatment groups with T4 (37.50 ml/L) having the highest final weight (1542.90 g), total weight gain (1198.10 g), total feed intake (3182.87 g) and average daily feed intake (75.78g ). Significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in carcass characteristics measured among the treatment groups covering major cuts (head, neck, breast, chest, back, wings, thigh, drum stick and shank) and organs (liver; heart, crop, caecum, gizzard and intestine). The T5 (50.00 ml/L) had the highest values for neck (4.75 %), breast (20.58 %), back (8.58 %), wings (9.11 %) and thigh (12.00 %). While T4 (37.50 ml/L) had the highest values for dressing percentage (74.19 %), heart (0.43 %) and caecum (0.61 %). Feed cost per Kg gain showed that birds given 37.50 ml/L of Khaya Senegalensis bark aqueous extract had the least (N 1,795.11) amount, while birds given 12.50 ml/L of Khaya Senegalensis bark aqueous extract had the highest (N 1,881.16) amount. The T4 (37.50 ml/L) had the best cost saving of 1.68 N /kg gain. In conclusion, Mahogany (Khaya Senegalensis) bark aqueous extract could be administered at 37.50 ml/L without adverse effect on the performance of broiler chickens in the semi-arid zone of Nigeria.