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<p>Phytogenic plants have gained considerable attention as natural feed additives with the potential to replace commercial antibiotics in poultry production. Among these, Aloe debrana is widely available; however, limited information exists regarding its nutritional value and application as a feed additive in broiler chickens. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Aloe debrana leaf powder (ADLP) as an alternative to the commercial antibiotic oxytetracycline on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 120&#xa0;day old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design (CRD). Ten chicks were allocated per pen, with three replicates per treatment. The experimental treatments included: a basal diet without supplementation (negative control, T1), a basal diet supplemented with 10&#xa0;g ADLP/kg feed (T2), a basal diet supplemented with 20&#xa0;g ADLP/kg feed (T3), and a basal diet supplemented with oxytetracycline at 1&#xa0;g/kg feed (positive control, T4). Data were collected on feed intake, body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics, and mortality. All data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SAS software. The results showed no significant differences (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05) among treatments in feed intake and feed conversion ratio throughout the experimental period. However, significantly higher (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) final body weight (2973.93 ± 21.95&#xa0;g; 2813.50 ± 57.70&#xa0;g) and weight gain (2830.76 ± 19.44&#xa0;g; 2669.83 ± 52.49&#xa0;g) were observed in T2 and T4, respectively, during the finisher phase and across the entire experimental period. Similarly, birds in T2 and T4 exhibited significantly higher (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) carcass weights (1939.3 ± 23.36&#xa0;g and 1874.5 ± 38.60&#xa0;g, respectively) compared to the other treatments. Mortality was significantly higher (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) in the negative control group (7.73 ± 1.10), followed by T4 (4.40 ± 1.67) and T2 (3.30 ± 1.90), while the lowest mortality was recorded in T3 (1.10 ± 1.00). In conclusion, supplementation of ADLP at 10&#xa0;g/kg feed produced performance comparable to the antibiotic treated group across most measured parameters. This suggests that ADLP at this inclusion level may serve as a potential natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters without adversely affecting production performance and carcass characteristics. Further studies are recommended to evaluate its effects at different inclusion levels and forms, as well as its impact on blood profiles and overall health status in poultry.</p>

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Effect of Aloe debrana leaf powder as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Zebene Ashinie,
  • Eyerus Muleta,
  • Zemene Worku

摘要

Phytogenic plants have gained considerable attention as natural feed additives with the potential to replace commercial antibiotics in poultry production. Among these, Aloe debrana is widely available; however, limited information exists regarding its nutritional value and application as a feed additive in broiler chickens. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Aloe debrana leaf powder (ADLP) as an alternative to the commercial antibiotic oxytetracycline on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 120 day old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design (CRD). Ten chicks were allocated per pen, with three replicates per treatment. The experimental treatments included: a basal diet without supplementation (negative control, T1), a basal diet supplemented with 10 g ADLP/kg feed (T2), a basal diet supplemented with 20 g ADLP/kg feed (T3), and a basal diet supplemented with oxytetracycline at 1 g/kg feed (positive control, T4). Data were collected on feed intake, body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass characteristics, and mortality. All data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with SAS software. The results showed no significant differences (P > 0.05) among treatments in feed intake and feed conversion ratio throughout the experimental period. However, significantly higher (P < 0.05) final body weight (2973.93 ± 21.95 g; 2813.50 ± 57.70 g) and weight gain (2830.76 ± 19.44 g; 2669.83 ± 52.49 g) were observed in T2 and T4, respectively, during the finisher phase and across the entire experimental period. Similarly, birds in T2 and T4 exhibited significantly higher (P < 0.05) carcass weights (1939.3 ± 23.36 g and 1874.5 ± 38.60 g, respectively) compared to the other treatments. Mortality was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the negative control group (7.73 ± 1.10), followed by T4 (4.40 ± 1.67) and T2 (3.30 ± 1.90), while the lowest mortality was recorded in T3 (1.10 ± 1.00). In conclusion, supplementation of ADLP at 10 g/kg feed produced performance comparable to the antibiotic treated group across most measured parameters. This suggests that ADLP at this inclusion level may serve as a potential natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters without adversely affecting production performance and carcass characteristics. Further studies are recommended to evaluate its effects at different inclusion levels and forms, as well as its impact on blood profiles and overall health status in poultry.