Performance Indices of Broiler Chickens Fed Graded Levels of Cinnamon in Sokoto, Semi Arid Ecology, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate growth performance and Haematological indices of broiler birds fed with graded level of cinnamon (Cinnamomun zeylanicum) in their diets at T1 (300g), T2 (400g), T3 (500g) and T4 (00g)(control) respectively.  A total of 200 marshal strain of broiler chicks were randomly divided into (4) treatment groups of 50 birds each. Each treatment was replicated 5 times with ten birds per each replicate, in a Completely Randomized Design setup. Standard management procedures were observed throughout. Data were recorded on feed intake (FI), body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG) was determined, feed conversion ratio (FCR) was calculated and mortality was recorded as it occurred, the experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Means on the collected data were subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and where differences exist, means were separated using the LSD. Results showed that significant difference exists in all the observed performance parameters and optimum performance was achieved in FI (805.77 and 115.08), BW (748.55 and 106.93), BWG (176.49 and 235.21), FCR (0.66) and mortality (6.0%) in treatment 2 (400g Cinnamon) powder inclusion level. It was thus concluded and recommended that Cinnamon powder is beneficial for broiler production and can best be utilized at 400g inclusion level.