Effect of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola) as A Dietary Additive on the Performance of Broiler Chicks

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the performance of broiler chicks ( 0-4 weeks) of age fed sun dried ground bitter kola (Garcinia kola) as a dietary additive at 5g/Kg diet (BK 5), 10g/Kg diet (BK 10) in addition to a control diet with no Garcinia kola (BK 0). Sixty Three (63) Marshall broiler strain chicks of mixed sexes were used for the experiment. Paired t- test was used to analyze the data. There were differences (p<0.05) in terms of feed gain ratio (FGR) and cost of feed per Kg gain (CFG) between birds on BK 0 and those on BK 5. Birds on BK 5 had better FGR and CFG. Comparing birds on BK0 and BK 10 showed differences (P<0.05) in terms of final weight (FW), weight gain (WG) and average daily weight gain (ADWG). Birds on BK 10 had higher FW, WG and ADWG. Also birds on BK 10 had slightly better (P>0.05) FGR than birds on BK 0. Birds on BK 0 however had slightly lower (P>0.05) CFG than birds on BK 10. No differences exist in all the performance parameters analyzed between birds on BK 5 and those on BK 10 treatments. Though, birds on BK 5 had slightly higher (p>0.05) FW, WG and ADWG. Sun dried ground bitter kola could be used as an additive in broiler diets at 5g/Kg diet.