Growth performance and blood responses of Noiler chicks to different dosages and frequencies of administration of Aloe barbadensis supplementation in drinking water

Obasa Oreoluwa, Aduragbemi,; Olaifa Rebecca Olugbemi; Babalola Kayode Olufemi; Njoku C.P.

Obasa Oreoluwa, Aduragbemi, 1 Department of Animal Science, Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun Ogun State, Nigeria
Olaifa Rebecca Olugbemi 2 Department of Animal production, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ayetoro Campus, Ogun State, Nigeria
Babalola Kayode Olufemi 1 Department of Animal Science, Tai Solarin Federal University of Education, Ijagun Ogun State, Nigeria
Njoku C.P. Department of Animal Production and Health; Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Keywords: Keywords: Aloe barbadensis, Dual-purpose chicken, haematology, Serum, phytogenic additives

Abstract

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of different dosages and administration frequencies of aqueous Aloe barbadensis supplementation on the growth performance and blood profile of Noiler chicks during the 2–8-week growth phase. A total of 270 two-week-old unsexed Noiler chicks were randomly allotted to a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement consisting of three dosage levels of Aloe barbadensis (0, 15, and 30 ml/L drinking water) and three administration frequencies (once, twice, and thrice weekly). The birds were distributed into nine treatment groups with three replicates of 10 birds each in a completely randomized design. Growth performance parameters including final body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were recorded, while haematological indices and serum biochemical parameters were determined at the end of the experiment. Results showed that dosage levels, administration frequency, and their interaction had no significant effects on growth performance parameters of the Noiler chicks. Haematological parameters such as packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, and white blood cell count were also not significantly (P<0.05) influenced by treatment. However, lymphocyte percentage increased significantly (P<0.05) in birds receiving 30 ml/L of Aloe barbadensis, suggesting a possible immunomodulatory response. Serum biochemical indices were largely unaffected by treatment except for cholesterol, which decreased significantly (P<0.05) as the dosage level increased. The interaction of dosage and administration frequency significantly (P<0.05) affected serum cholesterol but had no effect on other blood parameters. In conclusion, supplementation of aqueous Aloe barbadensis up to 30 ml/L in drinking water is physiologically safe for Noiler chicks and does not adversely affect growth performance or blood health indicators. Although no improvement in growth performance was observed under optimal management conditions, the increase in lymphocyte percentage and reduction in serum cholesterol indicate a potential immunomodulatory and hypocholesterolemic benefits of the plant extract.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

References
Abd El-Hack, M.E., El-Saadony, M.T., Shafi, M.E., et al. 2022. Impacts of phytogenic feed additives on lipid metabolism and health in poultry. Poultry Science 101(6): 101902. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2022.101902
Adedeji, O.S., Oyetoro, B.A., Ojediran, T.K., Omotayo, O.V., and Ifanegan, O.D. 2022. Effect of varying levels of cinnamon powder on haematological and serum biochemical indices of Noiler chickens. Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences 4(6): 34–40.
Adeleke, M.A., Olawumi, S.O., and Fafiolu, A.O. 2022. Growth performance and carcass traits of improved indigenous chickens under varying nutritional strategies. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production 50(3): 45–53.
Adewale, M.A., Akinmoladun, F.O., Oloruntola, O.D., Ayodele, O.J., and Adeyeye, S.A.O. 2022. Immunomodulatory effects of plant-derived additives in poultry production. Animals 12(15): 1964. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151964
Adeyemi, O.A., and Sola-Ojo, F.E. 2024. Phytogenic feed additives in poultry nutrition: Mechanisms and performance responses. Veterinary and Animal Science 24: 100087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2023.100087
Aglipay, M.A., Rodriguez, C.M., Hufalar, P.V., and Sagun, E.O. 2023. Supplementing levels of Aloe vera gel in the drinking water of broilers. International Journal of Biosciences 23(3): 170–176.
Alagawany, M., El-Saadony, M.T., Elnesr, S.S., Farag, M.R., Taha, A.E., and Tiwari, R. 2022. Herbal feed additives as growth promoters in poultry: Recent advances. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 9: 876345. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.876345
Alagawany, M., Farag, M.R., Dhama, K., Elnesr, S.S., and Abd El-Hack, M.E. 2023. Phytogenic feed additives as natural growth promoters in poultry: Mechanisms and applications. Animals 13(2): 321. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13020321
Alem, W.T. 2024. Effect of herbal extracts in animal nutrition as feed additives: A review. Heliyon 10(3): e24973. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24973
Amber, K., Nofel, R., Ghanem, R., Sayed, S., Farag, S.A., Shukry, M., and Dawood, M.A.O. 2021. Enhancing the growth rate, biochemical blood indices and antioxidative capacity of broilers by including Aloe vera gel in drinking water. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 7: 632666. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.632666
Ashar, J., Bhalerao, S.M., Khanvilkar, A.V., Kadam, A.S., Sonawane, G.S., Barate, A.K., Nagargoje, S.B., Kharde, S.R., and Andhale, B.C. 2022. Effect of supplementation of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) powder on performance of broiler chicken. Indian Journal of Animal Nutrition 39(2): 205–211.
Campbell, T.W. 1995. Avian hematology and cytology. 2nd ed. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press.
Catalano, A., Ceramella, J., Iacopetta, D., Marra, M., Conforti, F., Lupi, F.R., Gabriele, D., Borges, F., and Sinicropi, M.S. 2024. Aloe vera: An extensive review focused on recent studies. Foods 13(13): 2155. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13132155
Cowan, M.M. 1999. Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clinical Microbiology Reviews 12(4): 564–582. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.12.4.564
Dawood, M.A.O., El-Saadony, M.T., Alagawany, M., and Abdel-Latif, H.M.R. 2023. The role of phytogenic feed additives in poultry nutrition: Mechanisms and recent advances. Poultry Science 102(8): 102923. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.102923
Egena, S.S.A., Ijaiya, A.T., and Musa, A. 2024. Phytogenic supplementation and immune response in improved local chickens. Animals 14(1): 87. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010087
Elbaz, A.M., Ibrahim, D., Shehata, A.A., and Mohamed, D.A. 2024. Dietary phytogenic extracts modulate erythrocyte indices and oxidative status in broiler chickens. Poultry Science 102(5): 102689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.102689
El-Saadony, M.T., Alagawany, M., Patra, A.K., Kar, I., Tiwari, R., and Dawood, M.A.O. 2023. Functionality of phytogenic feed additives in poultry nutrition. Poultry Science 102(3): 102420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2023.102420
Gasthuys, E., Montesinos, A., Caekebeke, N., Devreese, M., De Baere, S., Ardiaca, M., Paepe, D., Croubels, S., and Antonissen, G. 2022. Comparative physiology of glomerular filtration rate by plasma clearance of exogenous creatinine and exo-iohexol in six different avian species. Scientific Reports 9: 56096. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56096-5
Idowu, O.M.O., Oso, A.O., Oke, O.E., and Akinyemi, A.A. 2021. Effects of plant bioactive compounds on haematological parameters of broiler chickens. Tropical Animal Health and Production 53: 120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-020-02554-0
Khan, R.U., Naz, S., De Marzo, D., Dimuccio, M.M., Bozzo, G., Tufarelli, V., Losacco, C., and Ragni, M. 2023. Aloe vera: A sustainable green alternative to exclude antibiotics in modern poultry production. Antibiotics 12(1): 44. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12010044
Lanzarot, M.P., Montesinos, A., San Andrés, M.I., Rodríguez, C., and Barahona, M.V. 2005. Hematological, protein electrophoresis, and biochemical values of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 36(1): 40–47. https://doi.org/10.1638/04-051
Mahmoud, A.E., Abd El-Hack, M.E., Saadeldin, I.M., and Swelum, A.A. 2023. Phytogenic feed additives modulate lipid metabolism and health status in poultry. Animals 13(10): 1645. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13101645
National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. 1990. Procedures for the collection of diagnostic blood specimens by venipuncture. Wayne, PA: NCCLS.
Ogunwole, O.A., Akinola, L.A., and Oso, A.O. 2023. Performance response of dual-purpose chickens to dietary phytobiotics supplementation. Tropical Animal Science Journal 56(2): 145–153.
Oloruntola, O.D., Ayodele, O.J., Adeyeye, S.A.O., and Ayodele, T.T. 2023. Haematological responses of poultry to phytogenic supplementation. Tropical Animal Health and Production 55: 215.
Quattrone, A., Picozzi, I., Lubian, E., Fehri, N.E., Menchetti, L., Barbato, O., Vigo, D., Agradi, S., Sulçe, M., Faustini, M., Ozuni, E., Bixheku, X., Brecchia, G., and Curone, G. 2025. Blood glucose in birds: Another way to think about “normal” glycemia and diabetes mellitus in animals. Diversity 17(5): 355. https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050355
Quaye, B., Opoku, O., Benante, V., Adjei-Mensah, B., Amankrah, M.A., Ampadu, B., Awenkanab, E., and Atuahene, C.C. 2023. Influence of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, carcass characteristics and haemato-biochemical indices of broiler chickens. Veterinary Medicine and Science 9(3): 1234–1240. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1099
Ren, J., Ren, S., Yang, H., and Ji, P. 2025. Effects of phytogenic feed additive on production performance, slaughter performance, meat quality and intestinal flora of broilers. Veterinary Sciences 12(5): 396. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12050396
SAS Institute. 2010. SAS/STAT user’s guide. Version 9.3. Cary, NC: SAS Institute Inc.

Varley, H., Gowenlock, A.H., and Bell, M. 1980. Practical clinical biochemistry. 5th ed. London:Heinemann Medical Books