Performance and carcass characteristics of native chicken fed with drinking water containing Indigofera zollingeriana aqueous extract

Abstract

Currently, the use of herbal leaves is increasingly being used to improve the performance and health of poultry. Herbal leaves contain phytochemical compounds that can promote growth and improve the health of poultry. This study aims to examine the effect of giving Indigofera zollingeriana leaf aqueous extract (ILE) via drinking water from 2-10 weeks of age on the performance and carcass characteristics of native chickens. This study used a completely randomized design with four treatments and 5 replications, and each replication consisted of 25 native chickens aged 2 weeks with homogeneous body weight (94.36 ± 1.94 g). The four treatments are ILE levels in drinking water, namely: 0% (P1); 2% (P2); 4% (P3); and 6% (P4), respectively. The results showed that giving 2-6% ILE via drinking water had no significant effect (P≥0.05) on the growth and carcass of chickens. However, it has a significant effect (≤0.05) on feed consumption and carcass bones. Based on the results of the study it can be concluded that administration of Indigofera leaf aqueous extract via drinking water reduced feed consumption and increased carcass bone weight of native chickens.