Anthelmintic Effects of Betel Nut and Tamarind Seeds to Free-Range Chicken

Abstract

Internal parasites are a common problem in poultry production especially for free-range chickens, this study sought to evaluate the efficacy of Betel nut and Tamarind seeds as anthelmintic to free-range chickens at different levels. Also to determine the growth performance of free-range chickens as affected by the Betel nut and Tamarind seeds, identify the species of helminths present in the experimental animals. The study was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The experimental birds were divided into 8 treatment combinations replicated thrice as follows: T1- (no dewormer applied), T2 (commercial anthelmintic), T3 (Betel nut at 5 grams), T4 (Betel nut at 10 grams), T5– (Betel nut at 15 grams), T6 – (Tamarind seeds at 5 grams), T7 – (Tamarind seeds at 10 grams), and T8 – (Tamarind seeds at 15 grams). Results revealed that experimental birds treated with Betel nut at 15 grams were the best as natural anthelmintic and most effective on the growth performance since it was comparable to that of the experimental birds in commercial anthelmintic as revealed on the frequency count of parasitic eggs and adult parasites, therefore, the study suggested the use of Betel nut at 15 grams level as a natural anthelmintic and growth promoter to Free-Range chicken.