Broiler Chickens' Growth, Haematological Indices, Guts Microbiota, Carcass and Meat Analysis in Response to Dietary Supplementation with Anacardium occidentale Leaf Powder and A Mix of Prebiotic, Probiotic and Acidifier

Abstract

This 42-day study evaluates the broiler chickens' response to dietary supplementation with Anacardium occidentale leaf powder (ALP) and a mix of prebiotic, probiotic and acidifier (PPA). Two baseline diets were compounded for the starter phase (age 1-21 days) and finisher phase (age 22-42 days) and divided into four parts: Diet 1(control), Diet 2 (250mg/kg PPA), Diet 3 (2,500mg/kg ALP), and Diet 4 (250mg/kg PPA+2,500mg/kg ALP). 240 Cobb 500 broiler chicks were distributed randomly to the experimental diets (6 replicates/diet; 10 birds/replication). The relative growth rate of the birds fed diets 3, and 4 were similar (P>0.05) to those fed diet 2; but higher (P<0.05) than those fed diet 1. The packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration and red blood cells were improved (P<0.05) by the dietary supplements. Meat catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities dressed weight and gut lactic acid-producing bacteria improved (P<0.05) by the treatments. Meat cholesterol level was reduced (P<0.05) by diet. Conclusively, 250mg/kg PPA and 2,500 mg/kg ALP improved the growth rate, dressed weight, erythrogram values, and gut’s lactic acid-producing bacteria population, meat catalase, meat glutathione peroxidase of the broiler chickens.