Abstract

  Use of ethno chemicals in controlling poultry diseases and their mode of action is a major concern since most communal farmers are using these without knowing suitable concentration. Ethno chemicals provide relatively cheaper and readily available alternative drugs. In this study the effects of Aloe barbadensis (Aloe-vera) on growth and palatability of Black Austrolop and Koekoek chickens were investigated. The experiment was a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The experiment had two factors, the two chicken strains and four levels of Aloe vera concentrations (0%, 2%, 6% and 10%) as a ratio of Aloe-vera extract powder to 100ml distilled water. Treatment units were twenty four having six birds in each treatment unit hence a total of one hundred and forty four birds. Growth rate in terms of weight was determined after two weeks of drinking water containing Aloe-vera extract powder. The birds were housed in a deep litter system. Roadrunner starter mash was fed for up to eight weeks of age. From the ninth week up to slaughter road runner finisher mash was given. The feeds contained no coccidiostat, growth promoter, antibiotics nor artificial additives. Palatability in terms of tenderness, juiciness and chicken flavour intensity tested after slaughter at week twenty five. Results showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05) on starter and finisher phase gains, interaction between the concentration and strain on overall gain and a significant difference on the palatability of the two strains of indigenous chickens. Use of Aloe-vera is cheaper, user friendly and readily available therefore can be used to increase growth and weekly weight gain of indigenous chickens.

Keywords: Aloe-vera; Ethno Botanicals; Black Austrolop; Koekoek; Roadrunner; Palatibility

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Citation

Citation: Sakadzo N and Chibi Rindirai M. "Effects of Drinking Water Containing Aloe vera Extracts on Growth and Palatability of Black Austrolop and Koekoek Ecotype Chickens". Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 4.1 (2020): 65-68.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 Sakadzo N and Chibi Rindirai M. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.