Impact of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and scent leaf (Ocimum gratissimum) on serum biochemistry and microbial load of broiler chickens

Abstract

The study was carried out to assess the effects of serum biochemistry and microbial load of broiler chickens fed diets containing ginger (Zingiber officinale) and scent leaf (Occimum gratissimum). 200-day-old Arbo acre chicks were divided into five groups at random and given different diets. Diet 1 served as the control group (0%) and diets 2, 3, 4, and 5 had an equal amount of ginger and scent leaf at 200g, 400g, 600g, and 800g. Each treatment was allocated to forty (40) birds in a completely randomized design (CRD), with ten (10) birds per duplicate and four (4) replications for eight weeks. Microbial load and serum biochemical parameters were evaluated. The results showed significant (P<0.05) differences on biochemical indices such as total bilirubin, aspartate amino transferase, triglycerides, and alanine amino transferase. Significant (P<0.05) difference was also recorded for total heterotrophic bacteria across the test diet. The study showed that 200g inclusion of ginger and scent leaf should be adopted due to the positive influence on the parameters analyzed. Hence, this level is suitable to reduce the use of antibiotic growth promoters in broiler production.