Phyto-supplementation of Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal on growth performance, carcass attributes, haemo-biochemical and enzyme status of broiler chickens

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the growth performance, haemato-biochemical profile and enzyme status of broiler chickens fed Ocimum gratissimum leaf meal (OGLM) as phytogenic feed supplement in broiler chicken diet. Six diets were formulated and assigned as diet 1(0 g OGLM /100kg diet: positive control), diet 2(0 g OGLM /100kg diet + Antibiotic (A): negative control), diet 3(250 g OGLM /100kg diet), diet 4(500 g OGLM /100kg diet), diet 5(750 g OGLM /100kg diet), diet 6(1000 g OGLM /100kg diet). Two hundred and forty (240) Arbor-Acre one-day old unsexed broiler chicks with average weight 37.92 ± 0.62 g were randomly distributed to 6 dietary treatments (40 birds/treatment; 8 birds/replicate). Results: Supplementation of OGLM up to 1000 g/100kg in broiler chicken diet recorded similar (P > 0.05) weight gain at starter phase compared with birds on the control groups (diets 1 and 2). Highest weight gain was recorded at the finisher and overall stages of birds’ growth on OGLM supplementation compared to the weight gain of birds on the control groups (diets 1 and 2). Carcass traits, haemato-biochemical, serum profile and liver enzyme status of birds on OGLM supplementation were better (P < 0.05) than those on the control groups (diet 1 and antibiotic treated diet: diet 2). Conclusion: OGLM as phytogenic/phytobiotic feed supplement did not compromise weight gain at the physiological growth phases of the birds but promoted the highest weight gain at the finisher and overall stages of growth, improved haemato-biochemical profile and synthesize more serum antioxidant enzymes compared to birds on the control groups (diet 1 and antibiotic treated diet: diet 2).