Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

A total number of one hundred and twenty (120) unsexed four weeks old broiler birds were used to determine the impact of Costus afer extract on the growth performance and cost benefit analysis of broiler birds.One week was used for brooding the chicks after which they were randomly distributed into five treatment groups of thirty birds replicated three times with ten birdsper replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). The homogenous Costus afer extract was administered at inclusion levels of 0, 5, 10 and 15 mls per litre of drinking water corresponding to treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Feed and water were given ad-libitum and recorded throughout the experimental period which lasted for five weeks. The proximate analysis of Costus afer leaves and stem extract indicates lower values in CP (2.50%), NFE (0.22%) and ME (0.10 kcal/kg). Data obtained showed that the growth performance parameters were significantly (p<0.05) influenced across the treatment group. Birds in treatment 4 (15 ml) had the highest (p<0.05) values of 3620.00 g/b, 102.38 g/b and 1.34 for final body weight, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio respectively. The cost benefit analysis table displaced a net profit and cost benefit ratio of superiority (p<0.05) for birds placed in treatment 4 (15 ml) with values obtained as #2934.00/b and 1.22/b, while the lowest values for net profit and cost benefit ratio were reported in treatment 1 with #616.40/b and 6.01/b respectively. Based on the facts reported in the present research work, it can be concluded that Costus afer leaves and stem extract can be administered to broiler birds up to 15 ml/litre of drinking water without any decline or negative impact on the performance and invariably yields a better profit. Thus, best possible result was recorded in treatment 4 (15 ml/l).