Carcass Yield and Haematological Response of Broiler Chickens to Spotted Pumpkin (Lagenaria Breviflora Robert) Fruit Extract

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> BACKGROUND Over the years, therapeutic application of plants has been used in folkloric medicine to explore natural alternatives to usage of antibiotic growth promoters due to the development of resistant bacteria strains and presence of drug residues in poultry meat. This study investigated the effects of concentrations and frequencies of administration of <italic>Lagenaria breviflora</italic> fruit extract (LBFE) on the haematological indices and carcass yield of broiler chickens. 390 birds were randomly distributed into 8 treatments; T1: control, T2: 75 g of LBFE/litre as synthetic antibiotic replacer (SAR) when necessary, T3: 75 g of LBFE/litre for 3days/week, T4: 75 g of LBFE/litre for 5days/week, T5: control, T6: 125 g of LBFE/litre as SAR, T7: 125 g of LBFE/litre for 3days/week and T8: 125 g of LBFE/litre for 5days/week. The experiment was laid out in a 2×4 factorial and data were subjected to Completely Randomized Design. Packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC) and haemoglobin (HB) were determined using improved Neubaur Haemycytometer after dilution and Cyanomethamoglobin methods. Dressing percentage for the carcass yield were also obtained. RESULTS Eosinophil counts and Uric acid were significantly (p &lt; 0.05) highest in birds administered 75 g of LBFE/ litre of water 5days/week. At the finisher phase, Packed cell volume was significantly (P &lt; 0.05) highest (32.25) in birds administered 75 g of LBFE/ litre of water 5days/week, while birds administered 125 g of LBFE/ litre of water as antibiotic replacement had significantly (P &lt; 0.05) highest (5.00) red blood cell count. The thigh and liver of birds administered LBFE 3 days/week had the highest values (P &lt; 0.5) of 10.79% and 2.84% respectively. CONCLUSION The study infers that administration of LBFE to broilers enhances the haematological indices as well as carcass yield which ultimately promotes healthy living of the birds.