Evaluation of the impact of Acacia nilotica and Annona senegalensis as potential sources of phytogenic compounds on performances of commercial broiler chickens

Abstract

The study investigated the impact of Acacia nilotica and Annona senegalensis leaves, as potential sources of phytogenics in broiler diets through a completely randomized design experiment. For both plants, chickens in control were fed diets without phytogenic sources, while the chicken in the test groups T2, T3, and T4, were fed with diets containing 200 g leaves per kg of feed, 200 g seed (ANS) per kg of feed, and 100 g each of both leaves and seeds per kg of feed, respectively. Performance parameters including body weight, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio was recorded while haematological parameters including white blood cells, haematocrit, platelets, haemoglobin, and red blood cells of the chickens were assessed at the end of the study. The results showed that broilers fed diet containing both Acacia nilotica leaves and seeds (T4) had the highest body weight at 8 weeks (5011.10g, p<0.05), total feed intake (4100.00g, p<0.05), weight gain (4298.70g, p<0.05), and the most efficient feed-to-gain ratio (0.95, p<0.05). The broiler chickens fed diets containing Annona senegalensis leaves and seeds showed no significant differences in final body weight or weight gain compared to the control group (p = 0.414), with T3 having the highest average final body weight (3480g). However, feed intake patterns varied significantly, with T2 having the lowest average feed intake (2993g, p<0.05), and the control group having the highest feed intake, while no significant differences were observed in feed conversion ratios (FCR) among all groups, indicating similar feed efficiency across diets. Supplementation with Acacia nilotica leaves and seeds significantly increased white blood cell counts (p<0.05) in broiler chickens, with T2, T3, and T4 showing higher values (98.78 x 106/μL, 101.08 x 106/μL, and 101.24 x 106/μL, respectively) compared to control (82.98 x 106/μL). Conversely, Annona senegalensis leaves and seeds did not significantly affect white blood cell counts or other haematological parameters (p>0.05). This study demonstrates the potential of Acacia nilotica and Annona senegalensis as promising phytogenic alternatives for enhancing broiler chicken performance. However further research is warranted to explore the specific bioactive compounds in the test ingredients for these effects and optimize their use in poultry diets for sustainable and productive poultry production.