GROWTH PERFORMANCE, SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY AND HAEMATOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF BROILERS CHICKEN EXPOSED TO NEEM (Azadirachta indica) AND ALOE VERA (Aloe barbadensis) LEAF EXTRACTS

Abstract

Poultry production is gradually becoming a stable National economic development and as a protein source. The study explored the potential of A. indica leaf and A. barbadensis gel extracts as supplementary sources of vitamins and minerals in broiler growth performance, haematology and serum biochemistry. One hundred and fifty three (153) day old broiler birds were used. The birds of both sexes were randomly allotted into three treatment groups of 50 birds each, with each treatment replicated thrice in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD); T1= A. indica leaf, T2= A. barbadensis gel extract and T3= underground water. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the initial weight of the birds. However, results showed that birds exposed to A. indica and A. barbadensis were significantly (p<0.05) different in final body weight and feed conversion ratio. A. indica had the lowest feed conversion ratio (2.29) than the other groups. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the haematology and serum biochemistry of birds tested for in all the groups. This showed that the level of A. indica and A. barbadensis gel extracts enhanced the growth performance of broiler birds.