Herbal Plants as Potential Additive in Broiler Diets

Abstract

Ten herbal plants utilized by backyard poultry raisers in Mt. Apo, Davao del Sur,Philippines were subjected to preliminary testing by veterinary schools in Mindanao.These were investigated for antibacterial and feed additive potential in broiler diets.Antibacterial sensitivity testing of Moringa oleifera Lam. (Malunggay), Euphorbiahirta Lin. (Tawa-tawa), Jatropha curcas Lin. (Tuba-tuba), Azadirachta indica, A.Juss (Neem), Coleus blumei Benth (Mayana), Momordica charantia L. (Ampalaya),Gliricidia sepium Jacg. (Madre de Cacao), Vitex negundo L. (Lagundi), Centenellaasiatica (Gotu Kola) and Blumea balsamifera (Sambong) was done. Herbal plantsshowing antibacterial properties were used in the 42-day feeding trial to determinetheir effect on the growth of broilers. Antibacterial assay showed highest ZI inMoringa Crude Extract of 23.17 mm and had MIC of 26.32 mg/ml. Average dailyfeed intake was significantly higher in broilers fed with Moringa Extract-High andLow and Milk Weed Extract-Low. Significantly higher liveweight (1,715.50 g/bird),daily gain (39.72 g) and feed conversion efficiency (2.08 g/liveweight gain) in broilersfed with Milk Weed Extract-High. Highly significant variations on sensory test ofmeat samples were noted. Results suggested that Milk Weed Extract Diets showedremarkable results in live weight gains and feed conversion efficiency of broilers.This proved that herbal plants could be a better alternative to synthetic antibiotics asantibacterial growth promotant and as a feed additive to broiler diets. Keywords: Botany, animal nutrition, feed additive, antibacterial sensitivity,feeding trial, descriptive design, Davao del Sur, Philippines