Effect of Vernonia amygdalina Bitter Leaf Extract on Growth Performance Carcass Quality and Economics of Production of Broiler Chickens
Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf) is a shrub or small tree that grows throughout tropical Africa. It is a very important protective food and useful for the maintenance of health and treatment of various diseases. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of Vernonia amygdalina (VA) extract on growth performance, carcass quality and economics of production of broiler chicks. Sixty 7day old Oba Marshall broiler chicks were used for 54 days water infusion feeding trial. Four water infusion levels 0ml, 25ml, 50ml and 75ml of VA per litre of (clean) drinking water designated as T1, T2, T3 and T4 were used. Birds were randomly assigned in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment with each treatment replicated three times (5 birds per replicate) daily feed and water were offered ad libitum. Data were collected on feed intake, weekly body weight and economics of production. The result showed that there was no significant (p>0.05) difference in weekly feed intake of birds among the four treatments, T1, T2, T3 and T4. Significant (p<0.05) differences were observed in the final body weight, weekly weight gain and feed conversion ratio of birds among the treatments. The result for carcass quality showed significant differences (p<0.05) in slaughtered weight, carcass weight, carcass dressing International Journal of Agriculture and Earth Science Vol. 2 No.1 ISSN 2489 0081 2016 www.iiardpub.org IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development Page 59 percentage, drum stick, thigh, breast, giblets and back but no significant (p>0.05) difference was observed in wing, abdominal fat, head, intestine length and intestine weight. There was decreased mortality of broilers fed 50ml and 75ml of VA. Birds on T3 (50% had the best feed conversion ratio (2.49% and least cost benefit ratio. It can be concluded that the birds fed 50% (T3) and 75% (T4) infusion level gave better result, highest revenue and can be recommended to achieve better feed conversion ratio, weight gain and carcass quality.