Carcass Traits and Serum Mineral Profile of Finisher Broilers Fed a Phytogenic-Based Diet

Background and Objective: Mitigating the gap between man and the poultry sector has been a great concern over the years; this is because there is a vast competition between the two groups. This research work is focused on determining the carcass characteristics and serum minerals of finisher broiler birds fed a phytogenic-based diet. Materials and Methods: A total of 96 broiler birds at their fourth week of age were used for the experiment. They were raised from day old and were randomly distributed at four weeks of age into different pens. Four experimental diets were formulated at 3% inclusion levels, with diet 1 containing 0% lemon grass and pawpaw leaf meal, which served as the control. Diets 2, 3 and 4 contained lemon grass and pawpaw leaf meal at the levels and ratios of 0.75:2.25, 1.50:1.50 and 2.25:0.75, respectively. Feed and water were given ad libitum. Proximate analysis of the test ingredients was also carried out accordingly. The research work lasted for twenty-one days. Results: Live weight had the highest value of 2270 g in treatment 4, which was similar to the value of 2150 g obtained in treatment 1. The lowest value of 2000 g was seen in treatment 3. A superior(p<0.05) value for carcass weight (2010.35 g) was observed in treatment 4, which was higher than the lowest value of 1870.50 g in treatment 3. Serum mineral indices in calcium had similar (p>0.05) values with 0.46 mmol/L obtained in treatment 1, which did not differ from the values of 0.51, 0.48 and 0.53 mmol/L corresponding to treatments 2, 3 and 4. Values reported for phosphorus were similar, with 6.38 mg/dL (T1), 6.56 mg/dL (T2), 6.44 mg/dL (T3) and 6.59 mg/dL (T4). Data for sodium had for treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 values of 138.83, 149.23, 142.23 and 144.03 mmol/L, respectively. Conclusion: The inclusion of lemon grass and pawpaw leaf meal in the diet of finisher broiler chicken is viable without any negative effect on the performance of the birds, with better results obtained in treatment 4.