Author(s)

Donfack Mikael^1*, Noumbissi Marie Noël Bertine¹, Ciemeni Michelle Aimee¹, Tindo Tsamene Romario¹, Evelyn Ngwa Bih¹, Djamen Tchantchou Chamberlin¹, Nyembo Kondo Camile², Tsafong Jeatsa Franklain¹, Necdem Tsafack Boris¹, Kana Jean Raphaël¹

¹Animal Nutrition and Production Research Unit, Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon.
²Department of Animal Sciences and Plant Technology, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, La Sapientia Catholic University of Goma, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The accumulation of growth-promoting antibiotic residues in animal products and the resistance developed by bacteria in poultry farms has led to a search for natural compounds derived from plants. This study was designed to promote the production performance of broiler chickens using fresh Cupressus sempervirens leaves infusion. Fresh Cupressus sempervirens leaves were harvested, washed, chopped and ground to a paste using a blender and fermented for three days in a closed container at a rate of 500 g/L of water. The solution obtained was filtered and added at the rate of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ml/L of drinking water. The chickens fed on the graded level of the solution were compared to a control ration without an additive and positive control group supplemented with 1 g antibiotic/kg feed. At the finisher phase and throughout the study period, water intake increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of infusion. Feed intake decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with 2 and 4 ml of infusion/L drinking water. Live weight and weight gain were significantly (P < 0.05) higher with 6 ml/L, while feed conversion significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with the same treatment compared with the control treatment without additives (T0). Carcass characteristics were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by the inclusion of Cupressus sempervirens infusion. Haematological parameters significantly (P < 0.05) increase independently of the rate of incorporation of the infusion into the drinking water, with the exception of RBCs, MCHT and PCT. Serum content in total protein, globulins, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly (P < 0.05) high with 8 and 10 ml Cupressus sempervirens infusion/litre drinking water as compared to all other treatments. AST, ALT, urea, creatine, albumin, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were not significantly affected. The lactic acid bacteria load increased significantly (P < 0.05) above 4 ml of infusion while E. coli and salmonella counts decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with infusion compared to the control without additive. In conclusion, 6 ml of Cupressus sempervirens infusion can be used as an alternative to antibiotic feed additives to promote growth performance in broilers.

Broilers, Cupressus sempervirens, Growth Performance, Haemato-Biochemical Parameters, Intestinal Microbiota

Mikael, D. , Bertine, N. , Aimee, C. , Romario, T. , Bih, E. , Chamberlin, D. , Camile, N. , Franklain, T. , Boris, N. and Raphaël, K. (2024) Effects of Fresh Cupressus sempervirens Leaves Infusion on Growth Performance, Intestinal Microbiota and Haemato-Biochemical Parameters in Broilers. Open Journal of Animal Sciences, 14, 70-87. doi: 10.4236/ojas.2024.142006.