Growth performance of broiler chickens administered varying doses of garlic (Allium sativum) and Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) extracts

Abstract

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of administering extracts of garlic and Aloe vera in water on the growth performance and apparent nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens. One hundred and fifty, day old, Arbor acre chicks were used, in a completely randomized design, in seven treatments and each with three replicates. The experiment lasted for eight weeks. The garlic and Aloe vera extracts together with the antibiotics control (Sulfaquinoxalina) were administered at different doses via drinking water consecutively for three days and alternately at week 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively. Treatment 1 received commercial antibiotics (Sulfaquinoxalina) at 2.67 g in 4 litres of water. Treatments 2 and 3 each received 0.40 mL of garlic and Aloe vera extracts in 4 litres of water which translated to 400 ppm. Treatments 4 and 5 each received 0.80 mL of both extracts in 4 litres of water (800 ppm) while treatments 6 and 7 each received 1.20 mL of both extracts in 4 litres of water (1200 ppm), respectively. The parameters measured were mean body weight, mean body weight gain, mean feed intake, mean feed conversion ratio, mean protein and energy efficiency ratio and apparent nutrient digestibility of feed as a result of the various doses of garlic and Aloe vera. Results showed no significant (p>0.05) differences in all the growth performance parameters measured for the first four weeks (starter phase). Feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency and energy efficiency ratio were affected (p<0.05) across the treatment groups at the last four weeks (finisher phase) of the experiment, with broiler chickens administered 400 ppm of garlic extract (T3) showing better performance (2.44, 2.42, 0.14) compared to those fed treatment 6 and 7 (1200 ppm Aloe vera and garlic). The apparent nutrient digestibility of the broiler chickens for all the nutrients were significantly (p<0.05) affected at both the starter and finisher phases of the experiment but no particular trend was observed. The total digestible nutrients were therefore calculated and it showed that birds administered 400 ppm Aloe vera extract (T2) at the starter phase and both 800 ppm of Aloe vera (T4) and garlic (T5) at the finisher phase, had better (p<0.05) total digestible nutrients compared to the control (90.69 vs 88.31; 91.10, 90.60 vs 88.59, respectively). It is concluded that the doses of 400 ppm (garlic) and 800 ppm (Aloe vera) extracts via drinking water improved feed conversion ratio, protein and energy efficiency ratio of broiler chickens at the finisher phase.