ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of genotype on the responses of broilers to Panax ginseng and Vitamin C administered in hot humid environment. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) Anak and Ross broiler birds were used for the experiment, each strain comprising of 90 birds. Each strain was shared into three (3) treatments, Ti (control), T2 (Ascorbic Acid) and T3 (Panax ginseng) and they were replicated 3 times with 10 birds per replicate in each treatment. Data collected include body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and linear body traits (shank length, thigh length, keel length, wing length and body length). The experiment lasted for a period of 8 weeks. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan Multiple Range Test. Analyzed result showed that genotype and diet had significant (P<0.05) effects on all the traits measured except body weight. Anak breeds had significantly (P><0.05) higher daily weight gain (54.29±0. 19 V 45.56±0.19), and final body weight (2055.00±7.63 v 1737±7.63). Ascorbic Acid and Panax ginseng in the diet of the broilers did not have a significant (P>0.05) difference on growth parameters, although there were numerical difference among the traits. However, significant (P<0.05) difference were observed in final body weight with '13 (Panax ginseng having higher significant values (1951.67±9.34) compared to T1 (control) (1890.83±9.34) and T2 (Ascorbic Acid) (1846.67±9.34). Anak breed had significant (P<0.05) difference observed between breeds for all traits, except body weight. Anak breed performed better than its Ross counterpart. Effects of diet on body weight and linear body parameters showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) differences for all traits among all treatment except for body length which was significantly (P<0.05) different among the treatments (27.81±0.3 1 v 27.43±0.3 1, 26.87±0.31) '13, 12 and T1 respectively. Also, no significant (P>0.05) differences were observed for effects of breed x diet interaction for all linear traits. It was concluded from this study that Anak strains of broiler had superior performance compared to its Ross counterpart and diet had positive effects in the improvement of the growth performance of broiler chicken.