ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF AQUEOUS CRUDE EXTRACTS OF AVOCADO (PERSEA AMERICANA SEED POWDER) AND TAMARIND (TAMARINDUS INDICA PULP) AMELIORATES COLD-STRESS IN BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

Low environmental temperature alters behaviour and physiologic responses leading to low productivity in poultry. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of orally administered aqueous crude extracts of Persea americana and Tamarindus indica in broiler chickens during cold season. Twenty-eight, 3-week old Arbor acres mixed sex broiler chickens were used. Seven broiler chickens were assigned each to Cg (control), TA (20% avocado aqueous extract), TB (20% aqueous tamarind extract) and TC (20% aqueous avocado extract + 20% aqueous tamarind extract). The treatmentswere administered as sole drinking water while the control received plain water. Thermal environmental data during the study period were measured, using a dry and wet bulb thermometer and relative humidity using a table, while the temperature humidity index was calculated. Cloacal temperature and blood samples were collected on days 28, 35 and 42 of the experimental periods. The Results show that the experimental period was thermally stressful (cold stress). Mean cloacal temperatures of broiler chickens in all the treatment groups were significantly (P < 0.05) higher (41.0 - 42.3°C) than those in control group (41.0 – 41.4°C) on days 28, 35 and 42. The heterophil/Lymphocyte ratio, pack cell volume, heamoglobin, total protein, total white blood cell, total red blood cell, weight gained were higher (P > 0.05) in treatment groups compared to control group. It was concluded that aqueous extracts of Persea americana and Tamarindus indica singly or in combination ameliorated cold-stress and improved broiler performance during cold-dry season