Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa Calyx (Zobo) on the Growth Performance of Broilers (Obamarshal) Chickens

Abstract

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a leaf use to make a drink locally known as zobo. The seed is considered an excellent feed for chicken because of the presence of certain vitamins especially vitamin C which is known for its antioxidant property hence stimulating the immune system. Farmers are constantly seeking for cheaper and healthier means to improve the quality of meat and weight of broilers. Also cheap and readily available synthetic drugs including antibiotics that were used as growth promoters have been banned due to their side effect in both poultry and human health. Many attempts have been made locally by farmers to use natural plant as supplements for birds to replace synthetic antibiotics. There is also a significant lack of knowledge about the beneficial effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa in poultry. Although other supplements such as anise seed (pinpinell anisume )have been used to improve meat characteristics and carcass weight, there is a suggestion that calyxes of roselle (zobo) may be used as best alternative. The study aims to test the effect of feeding different level of “zobo” in drinking water on the growth performance of broilers.Fifty day old broilers were sourced and exposed to the same feeding, watering and other management conditions like vaccinations and treatment until they were 4 weeks old. They were then divided into groups of 10 and treated with different concentrations of roxelle calyx gotten from water and ethanol extraction. The groups were A1 (broiler chicks on 1g/4l water extract of roselle calyx), A2 (broiler chick on 1g/4L ethanol extract of roselle calyx), B1 (broiler chick on 2g/4L water extract of roselle calyx), B2 (broiler chick on 2g/4L ethanol extract of roselle calyx) and C which were the control (broilers on plain water). Rectal temperatures were taken every Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the mornings and evenings. Live weight, carcass weight, dislocated carcass weight, internal organs and feed intake were the response criteria used when broilers were 8 weeks old. The birds (A2) on Hibiscus sabdariffa had the highest weight gain and consumed the largest quantity of feed as compared to control. This was statistically significant (P˂0.05). It can be concluded from this study that roselle calyx (zobo) tends to enhance weight gain, feed consumption and conversion in broilers.

Keywords: Roselle calyx, zobo, water extract, ethanol extract, weight gain.