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Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality Attributes of Broiler Chickens Administered Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa LINN) Calyx Extract

Awodola-Peters Omolade, O.¹ and Longe Oyebiodun, G.²

¹Department of Animal Production Technology, Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, P.M.B 5029 Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo state Nigeria
²Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2023 26(1): 26-36

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A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of roselle (Hibiscus sabdraiffa LINN) calyx extract on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality attributes of broiler chickens. Five hundred and seventy-six Abor acre plus day-old broiler chickens were randomly assigned into six treatments with eight replicates of twelve birds each. The birds were fed daily with a basal diet and Roselle calyx extract was administered orally to the birds through drinking water for six weeks except for the controls. Treatment 1 had birds administered water only (negative control), treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were administered roselle calyx extract at 2000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 mg/L of drinking water and treatment 6 were on antibiotic growth promoter containing antioxidant which was administered at 2000mg/L of drinking water (positive control). Data were collected on growth performance, carcass characteristics, ileum histomorphometry, pH and microbial load count of the meat at days 0, 7 and 14. Results showed that fluid intake was not influenced by increasing roselle calyx extract levels at both the starter and finisher phases, however, feed conversion ratio (1.99) was improved at 8000mg/L roselle calyx extract inclusion. Optimal villus height:crypt depth (8.16) was obtained at 6000 mg/L. Percent crude protein of meat from broiler chickens administered 4000mg/L roselle calyx extract were significantly (P<0.05) higher (19.98%) than other treatments means. pH values on days 0 and 7 were not significantly affected by the oral administration of roselle calyx extract, however, the pH value at day 14 of broiler chickens administered roselle calyx extract were significantly increased compared to those administered water only. It was therefore concluded that oral administration of roselle calyx extract up to 8000mg/L in drinking water of broiler chickens, improved feed utilisation and did not show any negative effects in carcass characteristics and quality in terms of pH and microbial load count of the product.