Effect of Madagascar Almond (Terminalia mantaly) Leaf Extracts on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Blood Profile of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The study examined the effect of Terminalia mantaly leaf extracts on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and blood profile of broiler chickens. A total of 105 day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to five treatments, with 21 birds per treatment in three replicates of seven birds each. The treatments consisted of 0% (control), 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% T. mantaly leaf extracts mixed in drinking water and administered to the birds for 56 days. The measured parameters comprised initial and final weights, total and average daily weight gain, total and average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, carcass traits, as well as haematological and serum biochemical indices of the broilers. Data were analyzed using ANOVA. The results showed that birds receiving 0.5% T. mantaly extract had significantly higher total weight gain and average daily weight gain compared to other treatments (p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio was highest in the 0.5% treatment group. Carcass evaluation indicated significant differences in liver and small intestine weights among the treatment groups (p < 0.05). The haematological profile showed significant treatment-related effects (p < 0.05). Specifically, red blood cell count, haemoglobin, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration varied significantly among groups. Analysis of serum biochemistry identified significant differences (p < 0.05) among treatments for globulin, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein. The study concludes that T. mantaly leaf extract, administered at a 0.5% inclusion level, improved growth performance without adverse effects on organ health, suggesting its potential as an alternative to synthetic antibiotics in broiler production.