PROXIMATE COMPOSITION OF SCENT LEAF, SIDA ACUTA AND BLENDS OF AQUEOUS LEAF EXTRACTS ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKENS

This study evaluated the proximate composition of scent leaf, Sida acuta and blends of aqueous leaf extracts on growth performance of broiler chicken. Two hundred and ten (210) commercial day-old broiler chicks were purchased from the reputable commercial hatchery (Zartech Farm, Ibadan, Oyo State). The birds were randomly divided to five (5) treatment groups of three (3) replicates of fourteen (14) birds each. The fresh leafs were pulverized into powder with the aid of an electrical blender. Fifty gram (50g) of sundried scent leaf powder were soaked into one liter (1L) of distilled water and allowed to stay for 12hours. The aqueous leaf extract of Sida acuta was prepared by dissolving 100gram of the leaf powder into 1litre of distilled water were sieved with the aid of musilin cloth. Experimental diets were formulated for broiler starters and finishers for the study. A maize-soyabean meal was the basal diet. Experimental birds that were given conventional antibiotics and coccidiostat were supplied to broilers in treatments T1,T2, T3 and T4. The treatments included a control (antibiotics and coccidiostat) and varying inclusion levels of aqueous leaf extracts: 40 ml/L and 80 ml/L scent leaf, and 30 ml/L and 60 ml/L Sida acuta. The proximate and phytochemical compositions of the leaves were analyzed using standard AOAC methods. Growth performance metrics such as weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded throughout the 49-day feeding trial. Statistical analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA, and means were separated by Duncan's multiple range test at a 5% significance level. Results showed that Sida acuta had higher crude protein (21.44%) and phytochemical contents, while scent leaf exhibited higher crude fiber (17.6%) and iron (1.45 mg/L). The blended extracts significantly improved weight gain and FCR at the finisher phase, with the highest performance observed in birds receiving 80 ml/L scent leaf and 60 ml/L Sida acuta extract. Overall, incorporating plant extracts enhanced broiler performance, demonstrating their potential as cost-effective and natural growth promoters. Keywords: scent leaf, Sida acuta, growth performance, broiler chicken.