Abstract

This study was designed to assess the rearing performances of broiler chickens under two Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder feeding diets. A total of 256 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups with 4 replicates of 16 birds each in a completely randomized design. This trial involved administrating Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder to broiler chickens via drinking water (2 g/l) or dry feed (2 g/kg) and comparing the result to those obtained from chickens fed on antibiotic (1 g/kg) and chickens fed without additive. The results revealed that the incorporation of Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder in chickens’ diet and drinking water could decrease feed intake, compared to the negative control diet. The inclusion of Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder in water and antibiotic in diet recorded the high live weight and weight gain, compared to the birds fed with the powder in feed and the negative control diet. The low feed conversion ratio was reported with the water supplemented with P. brazzeana powder. The carcass yield was significantly higher with the inclusion of the powder via drinking water, compared to the inclusion via feed and with the control diet. The feeding method did not affect the haemato-biochemical parameters, compared to the control diet. Chickens fed with a diet containing Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder in water recorded the highest (p<0.05) lactic acid bacteria count, compared to E. coli and Salmonella. In conclusion, dietary supplementing with Pentadiplandra brazzeana powder through drinking water at a rate of 2 g/l can be used as an alternative to antibiotics to improve the growth performances of broiler chickens.