One of the most profitable businesses of agriculture in the Philippines that provides nutritious meats and eggs for human consumption within the shortest possible time is poultry industry. The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) hydrosol extract (LGHE) in the growth performance, carcass yield, hematological and serum biochemical profile of broiler chicken. A total of 150 birds were distributed in five dietary treatments groups having three replications/blocks each using the RCBD. LGHE were given to birds on a five treatments through its water consumption; treatment (A) as control, B, C, D and E were given a dilution of LGHE mixed in a liter of water at levels 250 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, and pure LGHE, respectively. The collected data were subjected to ANOVA by using the SAS software. The significant differences (LSD) were used for treatment means separation as outline. Growth performance from day 8 to 15, results show that significant differences (p<0.05) were observed in ADFI and ADG. The overall results (day 0 to 15) show no significant differences (p>0.05) in BW, ADFI, ADG and FCR. Absolute weight, shows the result of significant difference (p<0.05), and it was observed in breast, heart, neck and liver. Relative weight for organs and carcass shows significant difference (p<0.05) and it was observed in thigh, heart, neck and liver. The water intake consumption from (day 0 to 15) shows that there were no significant differences (p>0.05). The diet economics on a live weight basis was significant in different (p<0.05) and it was observed in feed cost per bird and feed cost per kg gain. The carcass weight basis resulted a significant difference (p<0.05) and was observed in feed cost per bird only.
Growth performance…Ever Joy G. Rabadan.