Abstract:
The use of commercially produced vitamins is costly and tends to increase the cost of poultry
production. In view of this, there is increased interest to search for leaves of medicinal plants that
can serve as natural sources of vitamins and minerals. The use of aloe vera leaf extract is a step
in the right direction, since it is a potential source of these essential nutrients. Hence a 4-week
study was conducted to investigate the oral supplementation of aloe vera gel extract (AVGE) on
growth performance, nutrient retention, serum biochemical indices and carcass characteristics of
broiler finisher using one hundred and twenty 4 weeks old broiler birds. The birds were
randomly divided into five groups and assigned to five treatments of 24 birds each in a
completely randomized design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated three times with 8 birds per
replicate. Birds on treatments 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 received ordinary water, Vitaltye, 10%, 20%, and
30% aqueous AVGE, respectively. Results showed that AVGE had significant (p<0.05) effects
on final body weight, feed conversion ratio and cost of feed per kilogram gain. Treatments had
significant (p<0.05) effects on all the nutrient retentions parameters determined. The results
showed significant (p<0.05) differences in all the serum biochemical indices determined.
Finally, there were significant (p<0.05) effect in all the carcass and relative organ weight
measured. Based on the results in this study, it was concluded that AVGE supplement to broiler
finishers enhanced their growth performance, especially at the 30% inclusion level. |
