Evaluation of False Yam (Icacina oliviformis) Seed Extract as Substitute for Antibiotics on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

A. Mohammed; B. D. Nfojoh; A. A. Agbolosu

doi:10.37591/rrjohs.v6i3.31

Abstract

An experiment was carried out using broiler chickens to determine the effects of false yam seed extract on their growth performance. One hundred and fifty (150) chicks (Cobb strain) were selected and randomly divided into 15 groups of 10 birds each. Fresh false yam seed chips were soaked for 3 days (1 part of fresh seed to 2 parts of water) and extract was decanted and sieved through a fine mesh. Five treatments receiving false yam seed extract at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 ml/l in broiler finisher drinking water were tested using a completely randomized design and each treatment was replicated thrice. Birds were fed from 21–56 days of age. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using GenStat. Birds fed with the false yam seed extracts had similar (P>0.05) feed intake compared to their control counterparts fed with antibiotics (Oxytetracycline). All the birds obtained similar (P>0.05) live weight gains, feed efficiencies and carcass yields. Haematological indices did not also vary significantly (P>0.05). Based on this study, it can be concluded that false yam seed extract could replace antibiotics in broiler chicken production and could be fed up to 8 ml/l of drinking water without adverse effect on growth performance of broiler finishers.Keywords: Broiler chickens, carcass yield, extract, false yam (Icacina oliviformis) seed, growth, haematology, soakingCite this ArticleMohammed A, Nfojoh BD, Agbolosu AA. Evaluation of False Yam (Icacina oliviformis) Seed Extract as Substitute for Antibiotics on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens. Research & Reviews: Journal of Herbal Science. 2017; 6(3): 4–8p.