Effects of African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) seed water extract on performance, carcass and organ characteristics of broiler chickens

Abstract

The effect of Monodora myristica seed extract on growth performance, carcass and relative organ weights of broiler chickens fed corn-soyabean based diet were evaluated. Monodora myristica seed contains anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. Two hundred unsexed 1-day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted into 5 groups of 4 replicates housing 10 chicks per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design. Monodora myristica seed was dried and milled into powder and then infused into the drinking water as follow: T1 - 0g/L of water (control); T2 - 0.25g/L of water; T3 - 0.50g/ L of water; T4 - 0.75g/L of water and T5-1.0g/L of water. Daily feed intake, weekly body weight changes and feed conversion ratio were recorded. On day 42, two birds per replicate were sacrificed to evaluate relative carcass and organ characteristics. Feed intake was not significantly different from birds fed T1, T4 and T5 diets. Body weight gain of 1.46kg was recorded for birds offered 0.50g/L which was significantly higher (P<0.05) than the rest of the groups. Birds offered 0.50g/L of test ingredient also had the best feed conversion ratio with least value of 2.18. Birds that consumed water containing 1g/L of the extract (T5) had higher absolute but non significant live weight, bled weight, defeathered weight, eviscerated weight and dressed weight across treatment levels. Birds fed 1.0g/L had the highest values of thigh, drumstick, wing, breast, shank and abdominal fat weights. Values of the relative organ weight; kidney, heart, lung, liver, spleen, full gizzard, GIT weight and colon were not significantly different (P>0.05), while pancreas, empty gizzard, proventiculus and caecum were not significantly different among the treatment groups. In conclusion infused Monodora myristica seed did not improve carcass dressed weight values in comparison to the birds given extract at 0.25g/L. This indicates that infused Monodora myristica can serve as possible alternative for antibiotics in broiler chickens production, however, the inclusion level should be within 0.75g/L-1.0g/L which is subjected to the production objectives.