Influence of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis M.) as an alternative to antibiotics on the growth performance, carcass characteristics and haemato‐biochemical indices of broiler chickens

• Published in: Veterinary medicine and science Vol. 9; no. 3; pp. 1234 - 1240
• Main Authors: Quaye, B., Opoku, O., Benante, V., Adjei‐Mensah, B., Amankrah, M. A., Ampadu, B., Awenkanab, E., Atuahene, C. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.05.2023; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Aloe - chemistry; Aloe barbadensis; Aloe vera; Aloe vera gel; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotics; Antifungal activity; Antimicrobial agents; Bacteria; Biochemistry; Birds; blood; Carcasses; Chickens; Cholesterol; Diet; Drinking Water; Erythrocytes; extract; Hemoglobin; Herbal medicine; High density lipoprotein; infusion; Medicinal plants; Mortality; Original; Oxytetracycline; POULTRY; Proteins; synthetic additive; Triglycerides; Variance analysis; Weight Gain; extract; synthetic additive; infusion; Aloe vera gel; blood
• ISSN: 2053-1095; 2053-1095
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1099

Background Medicinal herbs as classes of additives to poultry feeds have proven to be beneficial due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Objective A 6‐week study was conducted to assess the effects of Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis M.) as an alternative to antibiotics on the growth performance, carcass traits and haemato‐biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Methods A total of 240 unsexed commercial broiler chickens, 2 weeks old, were randomly allocated to four treatments: T1 (negative control), T2 (positive control, 1 g/L oxytetracycline), T3 (0.5% Aloe vera gel extract) and T4 (1% Aloe vera gel extract) in a completely randomised design (CRD), with six replicates of 10 birds per replicate. The Aloe vera gel extract was administered in fresh drinking water. Results The results revealed across all the treatment groups, no significant (p > 0.05) differences were found in terms of growth performance and carcass traits. However, the mortality rate was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the positive control and the Aloe vera groups compared to the negative control. Total cholesterol, total glucose, and high‐density lipoprotein values for the experimental groups (T3 and T4) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the control groups. The values for red blood cell count, haemoglobin content, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration for the birds treated with Aloe vera gel were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the control groups. Conclusions It is therefore concluded that the addition of Aloe vera gel extracts up to 1% in the drinking water could replace antibiotics in broiler chickens without any adverse effects on the health status and the performance of birds. The supplementation of Aloe vera gel extract as an alternative to antibiotics in the diets of broiler chickens improved white blood cell counts and reduced mortality rate.