PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS ORALLY ADMINISTERED Justicia carnea LEAF AND GINGER (Zingiber officinale) RHIZOME AQUEOUS EXTRACT MIXTURE

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of administration of Justicia carnea leaf and ginger rhizome  aqueous extract mixture on performance characteristics of broiler chickens .The plant extracts were provided ad-libitum for four weeks. A total of 96 broiler chickens were used for this study. The chicks were brooded together and at four weeks were randomly allotted to four treatment groups in a complete randomized design having two replicate with twelve (12) birds each . The extract was administered at different concentration for three consecutive days per week (T1 control, T2 2.5ml, T3 5ml and T4 7.5ml extract). Over a period of 4 weeks, measurements of growth parameters including initial body weight, Weekly weight  gain,  daily feed intake,  feed conversion ratio and mortality were recorded and analysed. Data obtained were subjected to one way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results indicate that the administration of Justicia carnea and ginger rhizome aqueous extract mixture  did not show significant difference (p>0.05) on the performance characteristics of broiler chickens compared to control groups.  However, the extract treated groups yielded better numerical mean values. It can be concluded that Justicia carnea leaf and ginger rhizome   aqueous extract mixture can improve the growth related attributes of broiler chickens. Hence, it is recommended for use in broiler production.