Effect of dietary inclusion of garcinia kola dried seed powder on growth performance and immune response of Newcastle disease vaccinated broiler chicks

The effect of dietary inclusion of bitter kola (Garcinia kola) on the performance, organ weight and immune response to Newcastle disease vaccine in broiler chicks was assessed. Forty broiler chicks of five weeks old were randomly assigned into four groups (Groups A, B, C and D) of 12 birds each with the inclusion of sun dried ground bitter kola as a dietary additive at inclusion rate of 0, 5, 10 and 20 g/kg diet in groups A, B, C and D respectively. Birds were weighed weekly and vaccinated at week two with NCDV. Blood samples were collected from six birds in all the groups at weekly interval for PCV determination and serology. Serum samples were assayed for HI antibody using the HA/HI method. Results showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in PCV between groups B, C and D compared to the control A, There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the weight gain and weight of the visceral organ. On day 14 post vaccination, the result of HI titres showed an increase in the humoral immune response of chicks in the control group when compared to groups B and C. There was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the humoral immune response in group D on day 14 compared with the control group. It can be concluded that bitter kola is well tolerated in broilers and better protected against NCD with bitter kola inclusion in their diet showing higher in the humoral immune response at 20 g/kg diet bitter kola inclusion