Growth Response and Bacteria Count of Broiler Starter Given Delonix regia Leaf Extract as a Natural Alternative to Antibiotics

This study was carried out to investigate the growth response and bacteria count of broiler starter given Delonix regia leaf extract (DRP) as a natural alternative to antibiotics. Two hundred (200) one day old commercial unsexed broilers of Ross-308 strain were randomly distributed into 4 dietary treatments of 5 replicates, each replicate had 10 birds. Treatment 1 (T1) was given Oxytertracycline at 0.30g/liter of water, T2, T3 and T4 were given DRP at 5ml, 10ml and 15ml/liter of water. Feed was formulated to meet the nutritional requirement of birds according to NRC (1994) and the experiment lasted for 4 weeks. Feed and water offered were offered ad libitum in a completely randomized design (CRD). Data on growth performance revealed that DRP had significant (p<0.05) effect on final body weight, body weight gain, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio of the birds. Birds fed 15ml/liter DRP recorded significantly (p<0.05) higher body weight gain and superior feed conversion ratio than the control. The data on bacteria count indicated no significant difference (p>0.05) in the E.coli counts, a significant increase was observed in the Lactobacillus count (p<0.05). No mortality was recorded throughout the experimental period. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that DRP is an organic and effective herbal alternative to antibiotics because of its numerous bioactive chemicals and can be given to broilers up to 15ml/liter of water without any deleterious effect on the health and performance of the birds.