Pawpaw, Black Cumin, and Mustard Seed Meals Dietary Supplementation in Broiler Chickens: Effect on Performance, Gut Microflora, and Gut Morphology

This study evaluated the effect of pawpaw, black cumin, and mustard seed meals (PSM, BSM, and MSM, respectively) supplementation on broiler chickens' performance, gut microflora, and gut morphology. Two basal diets were formulated for the starter and grower phases and divided into five portions. Portion one (Diet 1), the negative control, contained no supplementation, portion two (Diet 2), was supplemented with 0.11 g kg(-1) oxytetracycline. The third (Diet 3), the forth (Diet 4) and the fifth portions (Diet 5) were supplemented with 15 g kg(-1) PSM, MSM and BSM, respectively. Three-hundred 1-day old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five treatments (10 chicks/replicate; 60 chicks/treatment) in a completely randomized design. The performance characteristics of the birds were determined on 7 days interval. On day 42, three birds per replicate were sacrificed for the determination of the carcass traits and relative internal organs weights. At the grower phase and overall, the Body Weight Gain (BWG) of broiler chickens fed Diet 3 was similar (P> 0.05) to those fed Diet 4, but significantly (P< 0.05) higher than the broiler chickens fed the rest of the diets. The liver, pancreas and gizzard relative weights were affected (P< 0.05) by the treatment. On day 42, higher (P< 0.05) Lactic Acid-producing Bacteria (LAB) count was recorded in birds fed Diet 2. In the jejunum, the villi heights and crypt depths were higher (P<0.05) in bird fed Diets 1, 2, and 3. Supplementation of the broiler diets with 15 g kg(-1) of PSM, BSM and MSM enhanced the body weight of broiler chicken.