Ethnopharmacological screening and nutrient digestibility of locally sourced feed additives in broiler chickens under tropical conditions

Project Abstract

This study investigates the potential of ethnopharmacological knowledge and locally sourced feed additives to enhance nutrient digestibility and performance in broiler chickens raised under tropical conditions, combining traditional knowledge with contemporary animal nutrition science. Ethnopharmacological screening was conducted on a diverse array of plant-derived materials, including aromatic herbs, seeds, leaves, and extracts traditionally used by local smallholder farmers to promote growth, feed efficiency, and gut health in poultry. Phytochemical profiling identified bioactive constituents such as essential oils, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and polyphenols, which were subsequently evaluated for antioxidant activity, antimicrobial properties, anti-inflammatory potential, and anti-nutritional factor mitigation. A two-phase experimental design was employed to assess digestibility and growth performance in broiler chicks (Ross 308 or an equivalent strain) under tropical ambient conditions (high humidity and temperature). Phase I screened individual locally sourced additives at measured inclusion rates to determine their effects on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nitrogen, crude protein, ether extract, and gross energy, as well as apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn). Phase II evaluated the most promising candidates, alone and in synergistic blends, for impacts on growth performance metrics (average daily gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio), coagulation and gut morphological indices (villus height, crypt depth, villus-to-crypt ratio), and welfare indicators, alongside microbiota profiling (16S rRNA sequencing) of ileal and caecal communities. A parallel in vitro digestibility assay using simulated gastric and intestinal fluids complemented in vivo findings to elucidate digestion kinetics of selected additives and their interaction with major dietary protein and carbohydrate matrices. Economic feasibility and scalability analyses were conducted to determine cost-benefit ratios for smallholder integration, considering local availability, seasonality, processing requirements, and potential market implications. Data were analyzed using mixed-model ANOVA with repeated measures for growth performance, digestibility, and microbiota outcomes, while multivariate analyses explored relationships among phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, gut morphology, and nutrient utilization. Results indicate that several locally sourced plant derivatives significantly improved ATTD of crude protein and gross energy, with AMEn enhancements ranging from X to Y kJ/g feed, and produced measurable gains in body weight gain and feed efficiency under tropical stressors. Notably, blends containing a combination of essential oils and tannin-rich extracts maintained gut integrity, reduced enteric pathogenic load, and favored a beneficial shift in microbial diversity, including increases in beneficial Lactobacillus spp. and decreases in opportunistic pathogens. Antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) improved, correlating with enhanced mucosal architecture and reduced inflammatory markers. Economic analysis demonstrated favorable profitability for farmers adopting specific additive blends, contingent on supply chain reliability and local processing capabilities. The study provides a framework for integrating ethnopharmacology with nutritional strategies to enhance nutrient digestibility and performance in tropical poultry systems, offering actionable recommendations for policy-makers, extension services, and industry stakeholders seeking sustainable, locally driven solutions.

Project Overview

What This Project Is About

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A plain-language overview of testing natural, locally available feed additives to see how they affect growth and health in broiler chickens, and how well these additives help chickens digest and use nutrients in hot, tropical conditions.

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The Problem It Addresses

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Many poultry diets rely on imported additives or antibiotics. Local plants and herbs could be cheaper and more sustainable, but we don’t yet know which ones improve growth, health, or digestion without unwanted side effects in tropical climates.

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Objectives of the Project

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1. Identify locally sourced plant-based feed additives to test.
2. Assess how these additives influence growth performance in broilers.
3. Evaluate nutrient digestibility with and without additives.
4. Observe any effects on gut health and immunity indicators.
5. Provide practical recommendations for farmers in tropical regions.

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What You Will Do Step by Step

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1. Review literature on ethnopharmacology and poultry digestion.
2. Collect local plant samples and prepare safe feed additives.
3. Design feeding trial with control and treatment groups.
4. Run the trial for a defined growth period and collect data (growth, feed intake, weight gain).
5. Conduct digestibility tests to measure nutrient use.
6. Analyze data with basic statistics to compare groups.
7. Assess health indicators and any adverse effects.
8. Summarize findings and discuss practical implications.

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Expected Outcome

Expect to identify one or more locally sourced additives that improve growth and nutrient use without negative side effects, offering cost-effective options for poultry farming in tropical areas.