Growth Performance and Survival of Two Broiler Strains Treated with Morinda lucida Leaf Extract at Finisher Phase

Abstract

Antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) use in livestock production is indicted in residual antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance in animal and human populations necessitating search for safer alternatives. Morinda lucida (Brimstone tree), a Phytobiotic with antimicrobial activities, less toxicity and residue free product is a potential alternative growth promoter in broilers. Information is however scanty on its use in tropical broiler production as growth promoter. This study investigated growth performance and survival of broilers over 42- day period when drinking water is supplemented with Morinda lucida leaf extract (MLE). A total of 150 broiler day old chicks comprising of 75 each of Arbor acre and Ross were brooded for 3 weeks and randomly allocated to 5 treatment groups consisting of 3 replicates of 5 birds per replicate. A 2 x 5 factorial arrangement in completely randomized experimental design was used to test the effect of two strains of broiler and five treatment levels comprising of the negative and positive controls and three doses of MLE. The treatment groups include 0g/l MLE (negative control); 1g/l Oxytetracycline (positive control); 0.5g/l MLE; 1g/l MLE and 1.5g/l MLE. Data on survival and growth were analysed using Kaplan-Meier log rank test and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) respectively. The final body weight, daily weight gains and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of broilers were significantly (p < 0.05) increased by 30%, 34% and 25% respectively relative to the control when MLE was applied at 1.5g/l of water. MLE administered as 1.5g/l through drinking water is therefore recommended as alternative growth promoter to AGP in broiler production.