Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Seed Powder as an Alternative to Antibiotic Growth Promoters on Carcass Characteristics and Physiological Parameters of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the effects of dietary inclusion of clove (syzygium aromaticum) seed powder as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters on broiler chickens' carcass characteristics and physiological parameters. The experiment was conducted at the Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Livestock Research Farm, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. Clove seed powder purchased from Kurmi Market, Kano, was incorporated into the diet at different inclusion levels (0.6% and 0.8%). In an experiment that lasted for seven weeks, Ninety-day-old COBB-500 strain chicks were randomly assigned to three treatments, with each treatment consisting of three replicates per treatment of 10 birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data collected on carcass evaluation and physiological parameters were subjected to One-way Analysis of Variance, but none were significant (P>0.05) across the groups. The highest breast and thigh percentage value was obtained from broilers offered 0.6% of clove seed powder while the lowest values were obtained from those on 0.8% of clove seed powder. This same trend was also observed in the values obtained from the respiratory rate; however highest values of rectal temperature was observed at the control while lowest value was obtained from those offered 0.8% of clove seed powder. The study concluded that use of clove (syzygium aromaticum) seed powder as alternative to synthetic antibiotics should be promoted to prevent residual effect of antibiotics in the broiler chickens, contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable options to AGPs in the poultry industry.