ABSTRACT
Four experiments were carried out to evaluate the effect of
Garlic supplementation in broiler chickens. In the first experiments 0-4
weeks, a total of 270 day old broiler chicks were used for the
experiment which had six treatments and three replicates, each replicate
was allotted 15 birds in a completely randomized design. Six broiler
starter diets were formulated such that (Diet 1) contains 0.01% of an
antibiotic, Neocloxsin. For Diets 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, Garlic meal was
included at 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, 2.50 and 3.00% in the Diets respectively.
In the 2ndExperiment 5-9 weeks, 180 birds from
experiment 1 were used. The experiment had six Diets and three
replicates each; each replicate was allotted 12 birds in a completely
randomized design. Six broiler finisher Diets were formulated, they
contained the same level of antibiotics and Garlic meal as in experiment
1. There was significant (P < 0.05) difference in the finial body
weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed to gain ratio, feed cost per kg
gain and mortality across dietary treatments. At the end of the starter
and finisher phase of the experiment, 1.5% dietary level of garlic meal
supplementation had a better feed conversion ratio and better live
weight while the least was obtained on birds fed 3.0 % garlic inclusion.
In the third experiment, the best graded level (1.5 %) of
garlic meal from experiment 1 and 2 were compared with different
antibiotics (N.C.O, Embazine, Vitacox and two natural ingredients,
Garlic meal and Moringa leaves). The Experimental diets consists of
Diets 1, No Antibiotic, No Garlic meal and Moringa leaves, Diets
2-6 contained N.C.O (0.10 %), Embazin (0.10 %), Vitacox (0.10 %), Garlic
(1.5%) and Moringa (1.5%) respectively. A total of 270 day old broilers
chicks were used for the experiment which had six treatments and three
replicates, each replicate was allotted 15 birds in a completely
randomized design. The experiment lasted 0-4 weeks. There was
significant (P < 0.05) difference in finial bodyweight gain and feed
intake. Birds fed Garlic meal and Moringa leaves supplementation had the
highest live weight of 810.6g and 799.07g which was statistically
similar to birds on control, N.C.O and Embazine but significantly (P
< 0.05) higher than birds on Vitacox. The least finial weight was
observed for birds fed diets containing Vitacox (588.49g). In the 4th experiment,
180 birds from experiment 3 were used. The experiment had six Diets and
three replicates each; each replicate was allotted 12 birds in a
completely randomized design. Six broiler diets were formulated; they
contained the same level of antibiotic, garlic meal and Moringa as in
experiment 3. The experiment lasted 5-9 weeks. The results in experiment
4, there were no significant differences (P> 0.05) in feed intake,
weight gain, feed to gain ratio and finial body weight across Diets,
better body weight over control and other dietary treatment were
obtained in birds receiving diet supplemented with garlic meal and
Moringa leaves (treatment 5 and 6) No significant difference were
observed in carcass percentage and internal organs between birds fed
experimental diets. From these results 1.5% garlic and 1.5% Moringa
inclusion level both in starter diets and finisher diets supported
optimal performance and compared favorable well with conventional
antibiotics.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
There is increasing pressure to reduce or eliminate the use of
antibiotics in poultry feed due to the claimed negative effects on human
health arising from antibiotic resistance
(Javandel et al., 2008).
In the United States, poultry producers are faced with a national
regulation that prohibits the use of antibiotics (USDA, 2005). This has
left poultry producers looking for alternatives to antibiotics that are
relatively cheaper and with minimal residual effect. Use of antibiotic
that might result in deposition of residues in meat, milk and eggs must
not be permitted in food intended for human consumption. If use of
antibiotics is necessary as in prevention and treatment of animal
diseases, a withholding period must be observed until the residues are
negligible or no longer detected.