Effects of Chromolaena Odorata and Aspilia Africana Extract Blends on Broiler Carcass Characteristics

This study evaluated the carcass characteristics of broiler chickens administered different doses of combined Chromolaena odorata and Aspilia africana leaf extracts through drinking water. A total of 220 day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were raised for 42 days and assigned to five treatment groups receiving 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ml of the additive per litre of drinking water. At the end of the experiment, 20 birds, one per replicate and closest to the treatment mean weight, were selected for carcass evaluation following a 12-hour fast with access to water. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and treatment means were separated using Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test at a 5% significance level. The results showed that the 15 ml/L treatment recorded the highest bleeding percentage (97.00%), dressing percentage (76.00%), breast yield (25.00%), back yield (13.50%), thigh yield (10.60%), drumstick yield (9.90%) and wing yield (8.10%). However, the highest head yield (3.07%) and shank yield (2.80%) were recorded at 20 and 15 ml/L, respectively, while the highest neck yield (3.80%) occurred at 15 ml/L. The lowest dressing percentage (72.78%) and breast yield (23.06%) were recorded at 5 ml/L. Overall, the 15 ml/L dose produced the most favourable response in the major carcass yield parameters evaluated. It is therefore the most promising of the tested doses for improving carcass yield in broiler chickens under the conditions of this study.