Performance and hematological profile of broiler chickens administered by ethanol extract of African leaves (Vernonia amygdalina)

¹ Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
² Research Centre for Innovation and Feed Technology, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Darussalam Banda Aceh 23111, Indonesia
³ Department of Animal and Poultry Science, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan, 51 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5A8, Canada
⁴ Faculty of Veterinary, University Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

This research aims to determine the effect of using african leaf herbal feed ingredients (Vernonia amygdalina) as a feed additive on the performance and hematology profile of broiler chickens. A total of 100 DOC (MB90) broilers were randomly assigned to 20 cage units consisting of 4 treatments and 5 replications. In each treatment, African leaf extract was given in drinking water at different doses (A0 = control; A1 = 250 mg/L; A2 = 500 mg/L; and A3 = 750 mg/L). The feed used in this research is commercial feed for the DOC period up to the harvest period. Body weight and feed consumption are calculated weekly during the study (4 weeks). All data are recorded to determine the performance of broiler chickens, while sample blood collection for hematology tests is performed at the end study. Data were analysed by one-way ANOVA. Differences between treatments were stated if P<0.05. The results showed that giving African leaf extract as a feed additive had no effect (P>0.05) on the performance and hematology profile of broiler chickens. From this research, it was concluded that African leaf extract did not have a negative effect on the performance and profile of broiler chicken hematology.