CERTIFICATION

I certify that this project was carried out by ONIGBINDE, OLUWAGBENGA JOHN with

matriculation number 2013/0592 of the department of Animal Production and Health, College of

Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun

state, Nigeria, under my supervision

_______________________ _____________________

Prof. O.M. Sogunle Date

(Supervisor)

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 ABSTRACT

This experiment was conducted to determine the response of broiler chickens to oral

administration of baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) bark extract. A total of one hundred and

ninety-two (birds) day old chicks of (Abor acre) strain of broiler were used for the experiment.

The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with six treatments, each

treatment has four replicates. Each treatment consisted of 32 birds i.e. 8 birds per replicate.

Six different volumes of baobab tree extract were administered in the drink of the birds. The

treatment levels used were control experiment/ordinary water, 0mls of baobab per liter of water,

300mls of baobab per liter of water, 325mls of baobab per liter of water, 350mls of baobab per

liter of water and 375mls of baobab per liter of water. The treatments were administered at one-

week interval.

The experiment lasted for four weeks and measured parameters were subjected to analysis of

variance at P<0.05 level of significance. At the end of the experiment, birds given 0ml of baobab

tree extract per litre of water had the highest weight (1867.00) which was significantly different

(P<0.05) from the weight of the other birds. The daily weight gain was also highest in birds

given 0ml of baobab tree extract per litre of water. There was no significance difference in the

live weight of the birds. However, birds given 0ml baobab tree extract per litre of water had a

superior live weight value of 1787.50 while birds given 350ml baobab tree extract per litre of

water had the lowest live weight value of 1525.00.

In conclusion, the study revealed that administering baobab tree extract to broiler chickens orally

helps to improve the growth performance of birds, however, the level of baobab tree extract

administered. At high levels, baobab tree extract could be detrimental/lethal to poultry birds.

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 DEDICATION

This project is specially dedicated to almighty God; the giver of knowledge and custodian of

wisdom for giving me the strength and power to complete the work. Also, it is dedicated to my

lovely family; my parents, uncle, brother-in-law; Late chief G.O. Onigbinde and Mrs. F.A.

Onigbinde and Mr. Kehinde Onigbinde, Mr. Tunde Onigbinde for their spiritual and financial

support. Thanks for your support and love. God always be with you.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My sincere appreciation goes to Almighty God, for his steadfast love and grace towards the

completion of my University education. May his name be glorified?

My heartfelt gratitude goes to my diligent supervisor, Prof. O.M. Sogunle, for going through my

manuscript and correcting it where and when necessary. I am particularly indebted to my

lecturers in the department for the sound pedagogical knowledge impacted on me. I doff my hat!

Also, I appreciate the assistance and support of Dr. Odutayo O. J., towards ensuring the success

of this write-up. I cannot do without expressing my profound appreciation to my able and

amiable lecturers and tutors.

My gratitude also goes to my lovely siblings in person of mummy is real, Mr. Tunde, mummy

Mohammed. Moreover, my sincere appreciation goes to my project mates, Wale, Sanni, Taiwo

and Promise for their cooperation and support during the period of our project work, may our

lives continue to be blessed. Finally, I am grateful to my colleagues, friends and hostel mates.

Thank you and God bless you all!

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

Content pages

Title page i

Certification ii

Abstract iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Table of contents vi

List of table ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Justification 4

1.2 Objective 4

1.2.1 Broad objective 4

1.2.2 Specific objectives 4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 6

2.1 Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata) 6

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2.2 Poultry production 6

2.2.1 Importance of poultry production 8

2.3 Types of poultry birds 8

2.3.1 Chickens 9

2.3.2 Turkey 11

2.3.3 Ducks 13

2.3.4 Geese 14

2.3.5 Ratite 15

2.4 Type of Poultry Number 16

2.5 Broiler 16

2.6 Strains of broiler Chickens 17

2.6.1 Cobb 17

2.6.2 Ross 17

2.6.3 Arbor acre 18

2.7 Poultry disease 18

2.8 Natural medication 19

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD 20

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3.1 Experimental site 20

3.2 Source and preparation of test ingredients 20

3.3 Source of experimental birds and brooding 20

3.4 Experimental design 20

3.3 Data collection and data analysis 21

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 22

4.1 Effect of baobab tree base extract on the growth performance of broiler chickens 22

4.2 Effect of baobab tree base extract on gut morphology of broiler chickens 25

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 27

5.1 CONCLUSION 27

5.2 RECOMMENDATION 27

REFERENCES 28

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1: Effect of baobab tree base extract on the growth performance 24

2: Effect of baobab tree base extract on gut morphology 26

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