The broiler poultry sector is strategically important, serving as a major contributor to animal protein supply and an essential component of national food security. The present study aimed to examine the effects of dietary supplementation of encapsulated noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) extract (ENFE) enriched with zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) on intestinal health and body weight in broiler chickens. A total of 200 eight-day-old broiler chickens, with an initial weight of 233.69 ± 7.28 grams, were assigned to four treatments using a completely randomized design, with five replications per treatment. The treatment groups included a control group with a basal diet (T0), a basal diet with 0.06% ENFE, Zn at 40 ppm and Cu at 5 ppm (T1), a basal diet with 0.12% ENFE, Zn at 40 ppm and Cu at 5 ppm (T2), and a basal diet with 0.18% (T3) ENFE, Zn at 40 ppm and Cu at 5 ppm (T3). The body weight gain (BWG), counts of total lactic acid bacteria (LAB), coliform bacteria, pH value, villus height, crypt depth, relative length, and weight of each segment of the small intestine were assessed. The current results indicated that chickens in 0.12% (T2) and 0.18% (T3) significantly enhanced BWG, LAB populations, villus height, crypt depth, and length, and relative weight of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Additionally, reduced duodenal and ileal pH, as well as coliform counts across all intestinal segments, were observed in 0.12% (T2) and 0.18% (T3). However, ENFE supplemented with Zn and Cu did not significantly affect jejunal pH. Administering ENFE at 0.12% supplemented with Zn and Cu represented the most optimal dose. Although the higher dose of 0.18% (T3) yielded statistically comparable results and was superior in some parameters, the 0.12% (T2) inclusion level is recommended as the most practical dose for enhancing BWG and intestinal health in broiler chickens. Keywords: Body weight gain, Broiler chicken, Encapsulation, Intestinal morphology, Morinda citrifolia
Baetavianti et al. (Thu,) studied this question.