GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND GUT HISTOMOPHOMETRY OF BROILER FINISHER FED VARIED LEVEL OF MIXTURE OF XYLOPIA AETHIOPIA AND SIDA ACUTA ADDITIVE

Xylopia aethiopica and Sida acuta are natural plants with potential as feed additives in poultry diets due to their bioactive properties. This study investigates their effects on the growth performance, feed efficiency, and gut histomorphometry of broiler finisher chickens. The aim was to explore their influence on nutrient absorption and overall production efficiency, providing insights into their use as alternatives to synthetic growth promoters. Four experimental diets were formulated with varying levels of a mixture of Xylopia aethiopica and Sida acuta (0g, 1g, 2g, and 3g per kilogram of feed), assigned as T1 (control), T2, T3, and T4. Key performance indicators, including feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and gut morphological parameters such as villus height, crypt depth, and absorptive villus surface area, were evaluated to measure the treatments' effects. The results revealed that T2 (1g/kg) achieved optimal balance, enhancing feed conversion efficiency and growth performance without compromising gut health. While T4 showed the highest weight gain and feed intake, it demonstrated diminished feed efficiency. Gut histomorphometry results indicated that T1 exhibited the tallest villi and deepest crypts, but T2 provided an effective compromise, supporting better nutrient absorption and utilization. This study concludes that incorporating Xylopia aethiopica and Sida acuta at moderate levels (1g/kg feed) optimizes broiler performance and gut morphology, making it a cost-effective and natural alternative for sustainable poultry production.