Effects of Cassia abbreviata extract and stocking density on growth performance, oxidative stress and liver function of indigenous chickens

The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of stocking density and extract from Cassia abbreviata stem bark on growth performance, oxidative stress and liver function of indigenous chickens. A total of 420 1-day-old female Ovambo chicks with initial body weight of 0.32 +/- 0.036 kg (mean +/- SD) were used in the study. Birds, which were cooped in stocking densities consisting 5, 10 and 20 birds/m(2), were orally administered with 0, 50, 200 and 500 mg/kg of extract from C. abbreviata stem bark. Each stocking density per dosage level of extract was repeated three times. Average feed intake was lower (P <0.05) in birds housed at 20 birds/m(2). There was a low (P <0.05) average daily gain in birds housed at 20 birds/m(2). Malondialdehyde was higher (P <0.05) in 20 birds/m(2). Average daily gain was high (P <0.05) in birds administered with 0 and 50 mg/kg of C. abbreviata stem bark extract. Birds administered with 0 and 50 mg/kg of C. abbreviata stem bark extract had a higher (P <0.05) gain to feed ratio. Birds dosed with 500 and 200 mg/kg had high (P <0.05) superoxide dismutase activity. Birds administered with 500 mg/kg of C. abbreviata stem bark extract had the lowest (P <0.05) malondialdehyde. A 500 mg/kg of stem bark extract from C. abbreviata resulted to higher (P <0.05) activities of aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase. There was a significant (P <0.05) interaction between the stocking density and C. abbreviata extract on catalase activity. High stocking density of 20 birds/m(2) reduced growth performance and induced stress in indigenous chickens. High dosage of level 500 mg/kg of stem bark extract of C. abbreviata reduced oxidative stress while depressing growth performance and causing hepatotoxicity in birds. There is a need to precisely determine the maximum dosage level of C. abbreviata extract to improve growth performance and reduce oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in indigenous chickens in high stocking density.