Growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices of broiler chicken fed Aristolochia indica as a phytogenic feed additive

This experiment was carried out to examine the growth performance and some heamato-biochemical indices of broiler chicken fed Aristolochia indica (ALM) as a phytogenic feed additive. A total of 500 – 1-day old (Vencobb 450) with initial body weight of 48.0 ± 0.02 g were randomly divided to 5 groups with 5 replicates for each group. Basal diet (a corn-soya meal based diet) was sufficient in all nutrients (NRC, 1994). Birds in group 1 was fed basal diet without A. indica leaf meal, those in group 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed basal diet with supplemented with A. indica leaf meal at 100 g, 200 g, 300 g and 400 g per 100 kg-1 respectively. Fresh clean water and feed were offered ad libitum. Results on phyto-constituents of Aristolochia indica leaf meal showed that it contained flavonoids (996.05 mg/100 g-1), tannins (609.7 mg/100 g-1), phenols (1341.8 mg/100 g-1), steroids (206.17 mg/100 g-1), alkaloids (151.8 mg/100g) and saponins (91.21 mg/100g). Average daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio were higher in group 4 and 5, intermediate in group 3 and lower in group 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). Mortality of 2.20 % was recorded in group 1 while none was recorded in the other treatment (P < 0.05). Pack cell volume, red blood cell, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, lymphocytes and monocyte values were significantly (P < 0.05) different among the groups except for basophil values (P > 0.05). Total protein, albumin/globulin ratio, urea, creatinine, glucose and cholesterol were influenced (P < 0.05) by the treatment except for alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase values (P > 0.05). In conclusion, ALM can be fed up to 400 g in the diet of broilers without compromising their performance and health status.