Productivity of Young Broilers Fed Phyllanthus niruri Linn and Melaleuca cajuput Leaf Meal as a Phytogenic Feed Additive

Abstract

Feed additives from medicinal plants can be used as alternative antibiotics to optimize productivity, growth and health in livestock. Medicinal plants Phyllanthus niruri Linn (Meniran) and Melaleuca cajuput (Kajuput) as alternative growth promoters contain antioxidants and antimicrobials to improve the quality of animal products. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medicinal plant leaf meals as phytogenic feed additives on broilers’ productivity and internal organ parameters. For 21 days feeding, 80 1-day-old Loughmann broilers (MB202) unisex were distributed in 4 treatments with 4 pens per treatment and 5 birds per pen. The dietary treatments were: T1 (antibiotics), T2 (2% Meniran), T3 (2% Kajuput) and T4 (1% Meniran + 1 % Kajuput). There were no significant differences (P<0.05) in body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, average weights of the carcass and internal organ weight by feed additive supplementation. However, the bursa fabricius weight increased significantly (P<0.05) with the feed additive. In conclusion, medicinal plant leaf meal supplementation compared to commercial antibiotics has the same effect on growth performance, carcass and internal organ weight. The combination of meniran and kajuput leaf meal as phytogenic feed additives increases the weight of the bursa fabricius which indicates improved health status.