Carcass, Ceacal Microbial Population and Immune Parameters of Broilers Given Different Levels of Mixed Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon Citratus) and Garlic (Allium Sativum) Extract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the carcass, caeca microbial parameters of broilers fed different levels of mixed lemon grass and garlic extract (CLGE). Five hundred broiler chickens (Ross 308) were allotted to five treatments with five replicate consisting of 20 birds each in a completely randomized design (CRD). The first group T1 was given 0.025g/litre Neomycin in water while T2, T3, T4 and T5 were given CLGE at levels 3.0ml/litre, 6.0ml/litre, 9.0ml/litre and 12.0 ml/ litre of water respectively. The experiment lasted for four weeks each for the starter and finisher respectively. Results on dressing percentages revealed that birds given 12.0 ml/l CLGE was highest (76.87%) followed by those in T4 (76.54 %), T3 (75.61 %), T2 (75.00%) and T1 (70.01%). Significant influences (P<0.05) were also observed in the relative organ weight (liver, kidney, spleen, heart, pancreas, gizzard and proventriculus). There were also significant differences (P<0.05) in the caeca microbial population of E.coli and lactobacillus count as well as the antibody titer against Newcastle and gumboro disease. Birds in T5 had the lowest E.coli count (9.00 cfu/g) when compared to T1 (22.19 cfu/g) with the highest proportion of the bacteria. It was concluded that CLGE could be given to broilers at 12.0ml/liter without any negative effect on the health and can be used to effectively replace antibiotics.