IMPLICATIONS OF Aspilia africana AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACT ON INTERNAL ORGAN WEIGHTS OF ROSS 308 BROILER CHICKENS

This study was conducted to evaluate the implications of Aspilia africana aqueous leaf extract on the internal organ weights of ROSS 308 broiler chickens. A total of one hundred and twelve (112) day-old broiler chicks were used for the seven-week trial. The birds were randomly assigned to four treatment groups in a completely randomized design (CRD) with two replicates per treatment accommodating fourteen (14) birds each. Treatment 1 (T1) served as the control, while Treatments 2, 3, and 4 (T2, T3, and T4) received Aspilia africana aqueous leaf extract at the specified concentrations in drinking water. Fresh leaves of Aspilia africana were collected from the University of Benin environment, thoroughly washed, and air-dried in the shade to preserve their natural compounds. The dried leaves were ground into a fine paste, and 300 grams of the paste was soaked in 2 liters of boiled water for about 12 hours. The mixture was filtered to obtain a clear, dark-green extract, which was stored in airtight containers and refrigerated at 2°C until use. During the experiment, the extract was administered through the birds’ drinking water at concentrations of 100 ml/7L, 150 ml/7L, and 200 ml/7L, which was applied three times weekly. All birds were fed a standard broiler diet formulated to meet NRC (1994) nutrient requirements.