Effect of adding Houttuynia cordata and Perilla frutescens leaves powders in diets on growth, intestinal microflora and meat quality of local chickens in Vietnam

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the effect of Houttuynia cordata (HC) and Perilla frutescens (PF) leaves powders supplementation in diet on growth performance, intestinal microflora and meat quality of local chickens (Noi). A total of 240 Noi chickens at 4 weeks of age were randomly distributed in a completely randomized design experiment, with 3 treatments and 4 replicates (2 male and 2 female pens), each replicate consisted of a pen with 20 chickens/pen. Control treatment (Cont): Basal diet (B) no supplementation; HCP: B + 2% HC leaves powder; PFP: B+ 2% PF leaves powder in the diet. The results showed that, average daily feed intake (ADFI) was not affected by all supplementations (P>0.05), and average daily gain (ADG) slightly improved in HCP (17.26 g/day) and PFP (16.94 g/day) to compared with Cont (15.65 g/day) (P>0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was improved (P<0.05) in HCP (3.42 kg feed/kg gain), and PFP (3.54 kg feed/kg gain) compared to control (3.61kg feed/kg gain). And also adding HC and PF leaves powders reduced Salmonella.spp and E. coli in the feces of Noi chickens (P<0.05). Supplementation of HC and PF leaves powders reduced fat content in breast meat (P<0.05), and slightly improved yellow color (b value) of breast meat (P<0.05) to compare to the control. In conclusion, HC and PF leaves powders supplemented in the diet at 2% improved FCR and color of meat, reduced fat content of breast meat and also reduced intestinal microflora in the feces of Noi chickens.