PERSICARIA ODORATA LEAF EXTRACT AS ALTERNATIVE TO ANTIBIOTICS: EFFECT ON THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS

This research was carried out to investigate the effect of Persicaria odorata leaf extract on the growth performance of broiler chicks. Three hundred one day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly distributed into five groups (6 replicates with 10 birds each). Birds were fed basal diet which was formulated according to the requirement of broilers. Broilers in group A was given basal diet without Persicaria odorata leaf extract, group B - Basal diet with 2 mL Persicaria odorata leaf extract per liter of water; group C - Basal diet with 4 mL Persicaria odorata leaf extract per liter of water; group D - Basal diet with 6 mL Persicaria odorata leaf extract per liter of water and group E - Basal diet with 8 mL Persicaria odorata leaf extract per liter of water. Animals had unrestricted access to feed and water throughout the 28 days experimental period. Qualitative analysis of Persicaria odorata leaf extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids and saponins. Final body weight values which varied from 877.7 - 1050.9 g/b was higher in group D and E, intermediate in group B and C and lower in group A (p0.05) affected by the treatment. Best feed conversion ratio was recorded among birds in group D and E relative to the other groups (p