ABSTRACT

The effect of Tetrapleura tetraptera (Aridan in Yoruba) as a growth-promoting agent, administered through clean drinking water at different concentrations to determine the growth performance of broiler starter chicks was investigated. The parameters measured were initial body weight, final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency. Dried, powdered samples of Tetrapleura tetraptera were subjected to both proximate and phytochemical analyses. Two hundred and twenty-five-day-old broiler chicks (Marshal breed) were used for the experiment. The birds were weighed, and randomly distributed into 5 (five) treatments of 3 replicates each, with 15 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The chicks were fed for a period of 28 days. The birds were provided with clean drinking water and feed ad libitum. Chicks in treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were administered with 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0g/litre of Tetrapleura tetraptera in their drinking water respectively, while birds in treatment I served as the control, and received 0.5g/litre of a conventional antibiotic (Enrovet) in their drinking water. Broiler chicks were fed an iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diet containing 23% crude protein and 2821 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Twice during this period, faecal droppings were collected to identify microorganisms and their population. The results showed that there were no significant (p>0.05) differences in mortality, final mean body weight, and body weight gain in all the treatments. However, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and efficiency were significantly (p< 0.05) different among the treatment groups. Also microbial load significantly (p<0.05) declined as Tetrapleura tetraptera inclusion increased. Results indicated that Tetrapleura tetraptera had significant antimicrobial and anti-helmintic properties, which enhanced the healthy growth of the broiler chicks.