Effect of Aloe (Aloe debrana) leaf powder supplementation as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters on production performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.

Effect of Aloe (Aloe debrana) leaf powder supplementation as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters on production performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effect of Aloe (Aloe debrana) leaf powder supplementation as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters on production performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. Zebene Ashine, Eyerus Muleta, Zemene Worku This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9227075/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 18 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Aloe leaf powder supplementation as an alternative to commercial antibiotics (oxytetracycline) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 120-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were arranged in a complete randomized design. A group of 10 chicks per pen in three replication were treated with control (T1), 10g ALP per Kg feed (T2), 20 g ALP per Kg feed (T3) and 1g(T4) oxytetracycline per Kg of feed. Data were collected on production performance and carcass characteristics. All collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS software. The results showed that, there were non-significant (P > 0.05) difference among the treatment groups in feed intake and feed conversion ratio throughout the experiment. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight and weight gain were recorded in T2 and T4 during finisher phase and entire period of feeding trial. Treatment groups supplemented with T2 and T4 were showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher carcass weight as compared to other treatment groups. The result of mortality were indicated that, significantly higher mortality was recorded in control group followed by T4, T2 and the least mortality was recorded in T3 . Based on the results, it can be concluded that, supplementation of Aloe leaf powder at a level of 10g per kg feed had comparable effects with antibiotics in all measured parameters. This showed that supplementation of Aloe leaf powder at a level of 10g/Kg feed as a natural feed additive can positively replace commercial antibiotics without affecting the production performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. Further research may be required on its effectiveness on different forms and levels on different classes of poultry on blood profile and general health status. Aloe leaf powder antibiotics carcass characteristics growth performance Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 10 INTRODUCTION Broiler chicken have undergone years of selection due to their better economic importance particularly high growth rate and meat yield (Zuidhof et al .,2006; Hristakieva et al ., 2014). Unfortunately however, the fast growth rate and meat yield have been associated over the years with the use of antibiotic growth promoters as feed additives (Ahmed et al ., 2014; Senthilkumar et al ., 2015). In Ethiopia production of commercial broiler chicken including Cobb500 has been largely intense in some large commercial farms around Addis Ababa and its surrounding ( Dessie et al. , 2017), which used antibiotics routinely as feed additives to improve the efficiency of growth, prevention and treatment of diseases ( Desta et al ., 2020). However, aggravated utilization of antibiotics into poultry diet as growth promoters have been reported to causes increased resistance of pathogens to the antibiotics and enhanced residues of these substances in poultry products and environment (Toaha, et al. , 2016). The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that, resistance to antibiotics continues to pose a significant global challenge to public health. Thus, due to this in 2006 the European Commission (EC) and most countries in the world agreed to ban the use of antibiotic as growth promoters from poultry industry (Ahmad et al ., 2014, Toaha, et al. , 2016). Unfortunately however, total prohibition of the use of antibiotics as growth promoter in poultry industry resulted in increased incidences of certain poultry diseases which in turn lead to poor growth performance and mortality (Wierup, 2000). This situation warrants the use of natural product obtained from medicinal plants as an alternatives to antibiotics. Natural plant products obtained from medicinal plants are organic, easily affordable, acceptable by consumer and safe in terms of residual properties on the animal products. On the other hands natural plant products are reported to have comparable positive growth effects with that of antibiotics ( Ahmad et al ., 2014). Among the alternative options, such as probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, organic acids and phytogenic plants have gotten a great deal of interest recently as natural growth promoter and potential substitute of antibiotics in poultry feeding (Jackson, 2004; Cross et al ., 2007). Phytogenic plants i.e herbs, spices and related plant extract contain active compounds that naturally suppress proliferation of microbes with beneficial effects on growth performance of the animals (Basile et al ., 1999). Among the available phytogenic plants, Aloe locally known as “ Ret ” is widely used as traditional medicine by herbalists for a years in Ethiopia (Sebsebe and Nordal, 2010), and now it received particular attention by researcher as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters (Christaki, 2010). Most of the plant contain water and the remaining small solid portion contains more than 75 biologically active ingredients having a broad range of pharmacological activities to treat diseases (Yim et al ., 2011). Phytochemicals present in Aloe include, anthraquinones, chromones, anthrone, glycosides and polyphenols and nutritional values include polysaccharides, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, proteins, amino acids and phenolic compounds which having anti- microbial, immunodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Zeenate et al. , 2018). About more than 46 species of Aloe are known in Ethiopia, from which 24 of Aloe species are endemic to the country (Sebsebe et al ., 2011). Aloe debrana is one of the endemic Aloe species and restricted in the southwest town of Debre Berhan district (Sebsebe and Nordal, 2010). It is abundantly available and high gel contents than other Aloe species (Sebsebe et al ., 2011). Invitro study have also shown Aloe debrana possess antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, antimalarial and antioxidant properties (Tekalign et al. , 2010; Gashaw, 2013; Andualem, 2020). On the other hands, supplementation Aloe leaves specifically Aloe vera and Aloe ferox in different forms and levels to broiler chicken as natural additives were showed comparable effects with the commercial antibiotic growth promoter on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken (Amaechi and Iheanetu, 2014). However, there seems to be lack of information in Ethiopia on the use locally available Aloe leaf in poultry feeding as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters. Thus, keeping in view the facts stated above, this research was conducted to compare the effects of different levels of Aloe leaf powder supplementation with antibiotics (oxytetracycline) on production performance and carcass characteristics on broiler chicken. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental Site The experiment was conducted at Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM) poultry farm. Aloe leaf Collection and Processing Adequate quantities of fresh and matured Aloe leaf was collected from Debrebirhan district. The collected Aloe leaf was prepared by removed thorny margins on the edge of the leaf. Afterwards, the leaf was washed with clean water and sliced into pieces and dried in oven at 65 0 C for 72 hours (Mohamed et al. , 2017, Yadav et al. , 2017). Oven-dried leaf was ground in to powder and passed through fine mesh wire sieve to obtain uniform powder. Chemical Analysis Representative samples of the Aloe leaf powder and the broiler’s diet were taken for laboratory feed analysis. The samples were oven dried and grounded to pass through 1mm sieve size. The grounded samples were stored in air-tight plastic bags until required for laboratory chemical analysis. Dry Matter (DM), Crude Fiber (CF), Crude Protein (CP) and total ash were determined according to AOAC (1990). Nitrogen-free extract was calculated by deducting the crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, ash and moisture from 100 (NFE = 100 - (CP + CF + EE + Ash+ moisture) Haneberg et al . (1860). The metabolizable energy content of the feed ingredients was calculated using the following formula suggested by Pauzenga(1985). ME(kcal/kg) = 37*% CP + 81.8*%EE + 35.5*NFE. Diet of the Chicken The chickens were offered their diet in two phase. The first phase was starter phase (8–28 days) which contained crude proteins (20.63%), crude fiber (4.90%), ether extract (5.40%), ash (6.74%), calcium (0.9%), energy 3096.60 Kcal/Kg and moisture 9.05%. This was followed by finisher phase (29–49) diet which contained crude proteins (19.31%), crude fiber (5.48%), ether extract (6.49%), ash (5.56%), calcium (0.65%), energy 3167.99) Kcal/Kg and moisture 9% was provided for the chicken. Experimental Design and Treatment A total of 120 unsexed day old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were used for this study in complete randomized design (CRD). The detail of experimental design is explained in Table 1 . Table 1 Experimental Treatment Allocation Treatments Replication Chicks/rep Chicks/ tret Commercial broiler feed without additives 3 10 30 Commercial broiler feed+10g ALP/Kg feed 3 10 30 Commercial broiler feed + 20g ALP/ Kg feed 3 10 30 Commercial broiler feed +1g OTC/Kg feed 3 10 30 Total 120 ALP=Aloe leaf powder, OTC= oxytetracycline Experimental Chicken Management Each group of the experimental chicks were housed in an individual experimental pen thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, well ventilated and provided with all the necessary poultry house equipment’s before the arrival of the chicks. Each groups were housed in an individual pen with dimension of 2.5x1m, designed to accommodate 10 chickens along with manual round feeders and drinkers. The broiler chicks were fed in two phases, i.e. broiler starter feed (8–28 days) and broiler finisher feed (29–49 days). The chicks were vaccinated against Newcastle disease (NCD) Hb1 at the 7th day and Lasota at 21th day and Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro) at the age of 14th and 28th days. Data Collection Production Performance Body weight of the chicks were taken at the beginning of experiment (considered as initial weight) and then on weekly basis between 7:00–8:00AM before feeding in the morning. Final body weight was taken at the end of the experiment. Body weight gain was determined as the difference between the two consecutive weeks body weight of the chicks. Weekly feed intake per group and per head were calculated as: FI= (Feed offered-feed leftover) per week. Feed conversion ratio was determined by dividing the average feed consumed by the average body weight gain. Mortality was recorded throughout the period of investigation. Determination of Carcass characteristics At the end of experiment, two chicks with comparable body weight were randomly selected per replicate for carcass and organ weight evaluation. The selected chicks were starved for 12 hours prior to slaughter while water was provided. The chicks were weighed to compare live and slaughter weights. Slaughtering was done by severing the jugular vein with a sharp knife. Dressing percentage was calculated as percentage of live weight excluding edible offal (skin, gizzard and liver). After evisceration, the data on hot carcass and organ weights were recorded and expressed in gram. Finally, the carcass were partitioned in to breast, wing, drumsticks with thigh, neck and back yields and weighed and expressed in gram based. Data Analysis Data were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) by General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of statistical analysis system (SAS) version 9.3 (SAS,2010). Treatment means were compared with Tukey HSD test. The models used was: Yij = µ + Ti + eij, Where: Yij = Response variable, µ = Overall mean, Ti = Treatment effect, eij = Random error. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Chemical Composition of Aloe Leaf Powder The results of chemical composition of Aloe ( Aloe debrana ) leaf powder are presented in Table 2 . As per this results, the protein content of Aloe leaf powder in this study was 13.76%. Similar to our finding, Haque et al (2014) and Jaime et al . (2018) reported 10.50% and 11.75% CP were recorded from Aloe vera leaf powder. According to the result of the current study 20.85%CF was recorded from Aloe leaf powder, this value was in range with the finding of Zhang et al. (2018) reported Aloe vera leaf powder ranged from 18.8 to 27.5% CF. Ash content of Aloe leaf powder recorded in this study was 17.48%, this result was in line with Ahmed and Hussain (2013) reported ash content of Aloe vera leaf powder was 16.88%. The fat content of Aloe leaf powder recorded from the current study was 1.890%. The result was in agreement with that of Haque et al (2014), Jaime et al . (2018) and Zhang et al. (2018) reported 1.83% ,2.30% and 2.2%, respectively of fat were recorded in oven dried Aloe leaf powder. Table 2 Chemical composition of Aloe leaf powder Parameters Chemical composition (DM%) ALP DM 90.21 Crude protein 13.76 Crude Fiber 20.85 Ash 17.48 Ether Extract 1.890 NFE 36.23 Energy (ME/Kg DM) 1949.88 Feed Intake and Performance of the Experimental Chickens As presented in Table 3 , feed intake of experimental chickens were showed non-significant (P > 0.05) difference among the treatment groups throughout experiment. These might be due to consumption of similar iso caloric and iso nitrogenous feed in all treatment groups. Whereas, numerically the treatment groups on T1 and T4 had recorded highest feed intake during the starter phase of feeding trial but not showed significant differences amongst all treatment groups. This might be due to high fiber content of Aloe leaf powder, which resulting rough and gritty texture of the feed cause to reduce feed intake of the chicks in T2 and T3. Similar to our finding, Mmereole (2011) and Darabighane et al. (2017) reported during the starter phase birds fed antibiotics and control numerically performed better feed intake as compared to Aloe vera leaf powder supplemented group. On the other hands, during the finisher and entire period of feeding trial numerically highest feed intake were recorded in the treatment group containing 10g of Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed (T2) followed by antibiotics (T4), control (T1) and the least recorded in 20g Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed supplemented group (T3). Similar to our finding, Amaechi and Iheanetu (2014), Bernard et al . (2016) and Darabighane et al. (2017) reported feed intake of broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder and antibiotics were increased over time numerically as compared to the control. The increase feed intake of T2 might be due to the phytogenic substance in Aloe leaf that may change in feed taste, stimulate appetite and endogenous secretion which in turn improved feed intake as reported by Windisch et al . (2008) and Islam et al . (2017). Similarly, Karan and Vishavjit (2004) reported active ingredients in phytogenic plants are aromatic and increased feed palatability thus they had an effect on the feed intake of animals. Lower feed intake of T3 might be due to antinutritional substance as well as repulsive test and odor of the Aloe leaf powder which causes to decrease the feed intake. In line with our inference Adesuyi et al . (2012) reported that there is anti-nutritional substance like saponins, tannic acid, phytate and oxalate in Aloe leaf cause to depress the feed intake of the animals. As presented in Table 3 , non-significant (P > 0.05) difference were observed among the treatment groups in body weight and weight gain during the starter phase of feeding trial. Similar to our finding, Sinurat et al. (2002) reported broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder were showed non-significant difference in body weight and weight gain with the antibiotics and control group during starter phase of feeding trial. On the other hand, this study showed significant (P < 0.05) difference among the treatment groups in body weight and weight gain of broiler chickens during the finisher phase and entire period of feeding trial. As per this result, broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe leaf powder at a level of 10g per Kg feed (T2) was showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight and weight gain followed by T4, T1 and T3, respectively during the finisher phase and entire period of feeding trial. This result provides evidence for the efficacy of Aloe leaf powder and its effects on body weight of broiler chicken. The higher body weight and weight gain attained by T2 might be because of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Aloe leaf powder which aided digestion and thereby making absorption of the digested nutrients easy, inhibit colonization of pathogen and balance the gut microflora resulting in the increase of growth performance as reported by (Bedford, 2000; Durrani et al , 2008). In agreement with our inference, Radha (2015) and Shokraneh et al (2016) reported phytochemical substance in Aloe leaf works synergically which causes to anti-oxidant and reduce gut microflora that compete nutrients with the host and improve intestinal microflora for better absorption of nutrients. Table 3 Effect of Aloe ( Aloe debrana ) leaf powder supplementation on feed intake and performance of the experimental chickens (Mean ± SE) Treatments Parameter T1 T2 T3 T4 PV FI (g/chick) Starter phase 964.41 ± 27.60 937.64 ± 3.18 903.07 ± 9.18 963.38 ± 44.20 0.37 Finisher phase 3082.73 ± 15.99 3169.31 ± 1.84 3026.56 ± 5.29 3117.63 ± 25.52 0.51 Entire period 4047.10 ± 48.58 4106.90 ± 31.34 3929.60 ± 13.01 4081.00 ± 65.99 0.54 IBW(g/chick) 148.18 ± 5.63 143.23 ± 5.90 137.34 ± 2.51 143.68 ± 5.60 0.548 Final BW(g/chick) Starter phase Finisher phase 763.50 ± 11.35 2731.62 ± 21.4 b 786.36 ± 5.36 2973.93 ± 21.95 a 735.01 ± 25.08 2688.27 ± 52.3 b 764.43 ± 20.21 2813.50 ± 57.70 ab 0.290 0.006 BWG (g/chick) Starter phase Finisher phase Entire period 615.30 ± 7.67 1968.12 ± 12.33 b 2583.44 ± 19.58 b 643.14 ± 3.04 2187.62 ± 22.44 a 2830.76 ± 19.42 a 597.67 ± 23.98 1953.3 ± 30.41 b 2550.97 ± 52.0 b 620.75 ± 15.24 2049.08 ± 38.46 b 2669.83 ± 52.49 ab 0.263 0.001 0.004 FCR Starter phase Finisher phase Entire period 1.56 ± 0.03 1.56 ± 0.02 1.56 ± 0.02 1.46 ± 0.01 1.45 ± 0.02 1.45 ± 0.02 1.51 ± 0.07 1.55 ± 0.02 1.54 ± 0.03 1.55 ± 0.04 1.52 ± 0.03 1.53 ± 0.03 0.376 0.057 0.086 Mortality% Starter phase Finisher phase Entire period 3.33 ± 0.00 4.40 ± 1.10 7.73 ± 1.10 a 1.10 ± 1.11 2.22 ± 1.10 3.30 ± 1.90 ab 1.10 ± 1.11 1.11 ± 1.10 1.10 ± 1.00 b 2.20 ± 1.11 2.22 ± 1.10 4.40 ± 1.67 ab 0.363 0.268 0.047 Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each other at P < 0.05. T1 = Control, T2 = 10g ALP/Kg feed, T3 = 20g ALP/Kg feed, T4 = 1g/ oxytetracycline/ Kg feed, PV= Probability Value, FI= feed intake, IBW= Initial Body Weight, BGW= Body Weight gain, BW= Body Weight, FCR =Feed conversion ratio, Starter phase (8–28 days), Finisher phase (29–49 days) and entire period (8–49 days). Djeraba and Quere (2000) and Amaechi and Iheanetu (2014) also reported acemannan in Aloe leaf can stimulate the immune system and increase body resistance against harmful microorganism which causes subsequently improve the general health of birds in turn improve growth performance. The result of the current study was in agreement with Bernard et al . (2016) and Akram et al . (2019) reported at 35 days of broiler chickens were showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher body weight and weight gain in Aloe vera leaf supplemented groups as compared to the antibiotics and control. Similar to our inference, Jagadeeswaran et al. (2012), Ahmad et al . (2014) and Fallah (2015) reported broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder as natural feed additives were showed significantly higher body weight and weight gain as compared to the antibiotics treated and control groups As presented in Table 3 , significantly (P < 0.05) lower mortality were recorded in T3 followed by T2, T4 and the control group, respectively. These might be due to medicinal value of Aloe leaf powder causes to develop immune system of the chicken and protect from disease causing agents by inhibiting pathogenic micro-organism. In line with our finding, Zeenate et al. (2018) reported that Aloe leaves have antibiotic action that fights infections and protection against disease-causing agents as well as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which have attributed to better immunity of broiler chicken. The results was in agreement with Akram et al. (2019) and Amber et al. (2021) reported significantly (P < 0.05) lower mortality were recorded in birds treated with Aloe vera leaves powder and gel as compared to the antibiotics and control group. Carcass Characteristics As presented in Table 4 , The higher carcass weight was recorded in treatment group containing 10g Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed followed by group feed treatment containing 1g oxytetracycline and control, whereas the least scored by treatment containing 20g Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed. Similar to our finding, Shokraneh et al . (2016) and Yadav et al . (2017) reported carcass yield tended to increase in broiler chickens supplemented with 1% Aloe vera leaf powder as compared to antibiotic and control group. The higher carcass weight of T2 and T4 might be due to the higher body weight gain as compared to other treatment groups. In addition, the higher carcass weight of T2 might be because of phenolic, anthraquinous and antioxidant compound in Aloe leaf favors secretion of digestive enzymes in gut and improve feed intake of the chicken turns to higher weight gain and carcass yield (Doley and Singh, 2014; Zeenate et al. , 2018). Also, it might be due to acemannan - a mannose polymer present in Aloe, this polysaccharide substance leads to an increase the population of beneficial microorganisms like lactobacillus and decrease the harmful bacteria like E- Coli which leads to increase body weight gain and carcass yield of broiler chickens as reported by (Lin et al ., 2005, Darabighane et al ., 2017). As presented in Table 4 , carcass cut-up parts and internal organ weight of experimental chickens were showed non-significant (P > 0.05) difference among the treatment groups. Similar to our finding, Shokraneh et al . (2016) and Mohamed et al. (2017) reported internal organ weight of broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder were showed non-significant (P > 0.05) different with the antibiotics and control groups. Table 4 Effect of Aloe ( Aloe debrana ) leaf powder supplementation on carcass and internal organ weights of experimental chickens (Means ± SE) Parameters Treatments T1 T2 T3 T4 PV Slaughter wt (g) 2760.83 ± 25.06 ab 2961.67 ± 19.9 a 2741.67 ± 26.7 b 2872.67 ± 40.75 ab 0.03 Carcass wt (g) 1816.83 ± 35.36 ab 1939.3 ± 23.36 a 1742.67 ± 56.8 b 1874.5 ± 38.60 ab 0.04 Dressing (%) 65.92 ± 2.48 65.49 ± 1.21 63.554 ± 1.89 65.23 ± 0.43 0.77 Breast (g) 780.83 ± 30.35 834.17 ± 15.83 724.17 ± 13.41 813.33 ± 39.40 0.08 Drum+thigh (g) 531.67 ± 4.40 571.67 ± 18.27 489.17 ± 29.16 529.17 ± 15.96 0.08 Back (g) 292.50 ± 5.20 314.17 ± 0.83 322.5 ± 17.02 322.50 ± 12.99 0.25 Neck (g) 70.16 ± 1.45 73.33 ± 1.66 67.5 ± 1.44 67.67 ± 2.42 0.15 Wing (g) 141.66 ± 3.33 146.00 ± 2.17 139.30 ± 2.04 141.80 ± 5.66 0.63 Gizzard (g) 55.83 ± 0.83 56.66 ± 0.83 47.83 ± 2.33 53.5 ± 3.05 0.05 Liver (g) 59.17 ± 1.66 63.33 ± 0.83 58.33 ± 3.33 57.5 ± 2.50 0.343 Kidney (g) 4.5 ± 0.00 5 ± 0.00 4.16 ± 0.33 4.83 ± 0.16 0.054 Heart (g) 15.5 ± 0.00 16.93 ± 0.56 15.16 ± 0.33 16 ± 0.76 0.151 Means followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each other at P < 0.05. T1 = Control, T2 = 10g ALP/Kg feed, T3 = 20g ALP/Kg feed, T4 = 1g/ oxytetracycline/ Kg feed, PV= Probability Value CONCLUSION Considering the finding on this experiment, it can be conclude that Aloe leaf powder supplementation at a level of 10g/Kg feed have growth promoting characteristic to broiler chickens and potentially be used as alternative to the commercial antibiotic growth promoters. This will aid in the production of organic broiler products while also securing human health from the harmful effects of antibiotic residue in animal products. Hence, to increase productivity of broiler chickens the use of locally available Aloe leaf powder at the suggested level should be the best option as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters for chicken meat producer. Extra investigation should be required regarding to the effect of Aloe leaf powder supplementation on anti-microbial activity, blood profile and health status of broiler chicken. Different Aloe species are locally available in Ethiopia, so a study should be conducted to characterize them, assess their potential for establishment and evaluation under research station conditions, and assess their adaptability and effects on supplementation for other animals besides poultry, including their effectiveness in different forms and levels. Declarations Acknowledgement The authors would like to acknowledge Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, for providing the facilities for animal experimentation and laboratory work. We also appreciate the assistance of staff members and all individuals who contributed to the successful completion of this study. Ethics Approval and Consent All experimental procedures involving animals were conducted in accordance with established guidelines for the care and use of agricultural animals in research. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Sciences. Appropriate animal management and handling practices were followed to ensure the welfare of the broiler chickens throughout the experimental period. Consent for Participation Not applicable Consent for Publication Not applicable Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Funding This research received no specific grant from any funding agency or organizations. Data Availability All data’s that support the finding of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. All images presented in the supplementary figures are original and belong to the authors. Authors’ Contributions The corresponding author Zebene Ashine conceived and designed the experiment, conducted data collection, performed data analysis, interpreted the results, and wrote the manuscript. 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Using aqueous extract of aloe gel as anticoccidial and immunostimulant agent in broiler production. Sarhad Journal of Agriculture , 24(4) : 665–670. Fallah, R., 2015. Effect of Adding Aloe Vera Gel & Garlic Powder on Performance & Liver Functions of Broiler Chickens ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT. Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research. Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research Journal Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research , 3(32) : 491–496. Gashaw Asefa and Shimels Admasu., 2013. Antimicrobial Activity, Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties of Aloe (Aloe debrana) Based Packaging Films. British Journal of Applied Science & Technology, 3(4) :1257–1275. Haque M. Z, M. Islam B., M. JalilA. and ShafiqueM. Z., 2014. Proximate Analysis of Aloe vara Leaves. Journal of Applied Chemistry , 7 : 36–40 Hristakieva P, Ivanova I, Lalev M, Mincheva N, Oblakova M., 2014. Effect of genotype on production traits in broiler chickens. Slovak Journal of Animal Science 47(1 ):19–24. Islam, M. M., Rahman, M. M., Sultana, S., Hassan, M. Z., Miah, A. G, and Hamid, M. A., 2017. Effects of aloe vera extract in drinking water on broiler performance. Asian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 3(1) : 120–126. Jagadeeswaran A., Selvasubramanian, S.,and Chandrasekaran, D., 2012. Effect of supplementation of Aloe Vera extracts on growth performance in commercial broilers. Indian Journal of Field Veterinarians , 8(1) : 47–49. Jaime López-Cervantes, Dalia I. Sánchez-Machado, Paola Cruz-Flores, María F. Mariscal-Domínguez, Gabriela Servín de la Mora-López, Olga N. Campas-Baypoli., 2018. Antioxidant capacity, proximate composition and lipid constituents of Aloe vera flowers, Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants , 10 : 93–98. Jackson ME, Geronian K, Knox A, McNab J, McCartney E., 2004. A dose-response study with the feed enzyme β- mannanase in broilers provided with corn-soybean meal based diets in the absence of antibiotic growth promoters. Poult. Sci , 83 :1992–1996. Lin, J., Zhang, F.Y., Xu, Y., Ting, Z.X. and Po, Y.D., 2005. Effects of gel, polysaccharide and acemannan from Aloe vera on broiler gut flora, microvilli density, immune function and growth performance. Chinese J. Vet. Sci , 25 (6 ): 668–671. Mmereole, F.U.C., 2011. Evaluation of the dietary inclusion of Aloe vera as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter in broiler production. Pakistan journal of Nutrition . Mohamed, S.M., El-Eraky, W. and Al-Gamal, M,. 2017. Effects of feeding Aloe Vera Leaves Powder on Performance, Carcass and Immune Traits of Broiler Chickens. Zagazig Veterinary Journal , 45(1) : 72–78. Radha, M.H. and Laxmipriya, N.P., 2015. Evaluation of biological properties and clinical effectiveness of Aloe vera: A systematic review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , 5(1 ): 21–26. Sebsebe, D. and Nordal, I., 2010. Aloes and other lilies of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Senthilkumar, S., Madesh, N., Purushothaman, M.R., Vasanthakumar, P., Thirumalaisamy, G. and Sasikumar, P., 2015. Effect of garlic supplementation on performance in broilers–a Review. International Journal of Science, Environment and Technology , 4(4) : 980–983. Sinurat, A.P., Purwadaria, T., Togatorop, M.H., Pasaribu, T., Bintang, I.A.K., Sitompul, S. and Rosida, J., 2002. Responses of broilers to Aloe vera bioactives as feed additive: the effect of different forms and levels of bioactives on performances of broilers. J. Urnal Ilmu Ternak Dan Veteriner , 7(2) : 69–75. Shokraneh, M., Ghalamkari, G., Toghyani, M. and Landy, N., 2016. Influence of drinking water containing Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) gel on growth performance, intestinal microflora, and humoral immune responses of broilers. Veterinary World , 9 (11 ): 1197. Tekalgn D., Mekonnen, Y. and Animut, A., 2010. In Vivo anti-malarial activities of Clerodendrum myricoides, Dodonea angustifolia and Aloe debrana against Plasmodium berghei. Ethiopian Journal of Health Development , 24(1). Toaha, S.M., Mollah, B.R. and Ahammad, M. U., 2016. Use of dietary fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) seed for the production of safe broiler lean meat. Research in Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries , 3(2 ): 305–314. Windisch, W., Schedle, K., Plitzner, C. and Kroismayr, A., 2008. Use of phytogenic products as feed additives for swine and poultry. Journal of Animal Science , 86 : 140–148. Wierup, M., 2000. The control of microbial diseases in animals: alternatives to the use of antibiotics. International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents , 14(4) : 315–319. Yadav, D. C., Bidhan, D. S., Sharma, V., and Sahu, S., 2017. Effect of Aloe Vera ( Aloe barbadensis ) Supplementation on Production Indices, Mortality and Cost of Production of Broiler Chicken. Journal of Animal Research , 7(1) : 107. Yim, D., Kang, S.S., Kim, D.W., Kim, S.H., Lillehoj, H.S. and Min, W., 2011. Protective effects of Aloe vera-based diets in Eimeria maxima-infected broiler chickens. Experimental Parasitology, 127(1) : 322–325. Zeenat Waris1, Yousaf Iqbal, Arshad Hussain, Shafqatullah,, Asad Ali Khan, Akhtar Ali and Mohammad Wasiullah Khan,. 2018. Proximate composition, phytochemical analysis and antioxidant capacity of Aloe vera, Cannabis sativa and Mentha longifolia. Pure and Applied Biology , 7 : 1122–1130. Zhang Yuehong, Zhichao Bao, XiaoYan Ye, and ZhaoYang Xie,. 2018. Chemical Investigation of Major Constituents in Aloe vera Leaves and Several Commercial Aloe Juice Powder. journal of AOAC InternatIonal , 101 : no. 6. Zuidhof, M. J., Carney, V.L., Schneider, B. L., Renema, R. A., Robinson, F. E. and B., & M.,2006. Broiler meat quality and yield dynamics. Poultry Service Industry Workshop, October , 3rd – 5th ,: 79–88. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 06 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 05 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 01 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 29 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 26 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 23 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 22 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 22 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 21 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 21 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 13 Apr, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 08 Apr, 2026 First submitted to journal 08 Apr, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9227075","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":630506654,"identity":"f289ae32-1752-45dd-afcd-e6e91341dd40","order_by":0,"name":"Zebene Ashine","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABBElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYFACHghlwAwkPvywAZKMjQeI1sI4sycNpKWBSC1AzMzDdhjMwatFvr334OOCCjt7c3begw94eM7brW0/DLSlxiYalxbGnnPJxjPOJCfubOZLNpCwuJ287UwiUMuxtNwGHFqYJXLMpHnbmBMMDvOYSRjw3E42OwDUwthwGKcWNvk35r95/9XbA7WY/0hgO5dsdv4hfi08EjxmzLwNhxk3AG1hOMB2wM7sBgFbJHjykqV5jh1PBGoxlmzsSU4wuwG0JQGPX+Tbzx78zFNTbW9w/ozh5z8/7OzNzqc/fPChxganFgyQCFaZQKxyELAnRfEoGAWjYBSMDAAAqa5ezSW+yI0AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"Gambella University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zebene","middleName":"","lastName":"Ashine","suffix":""},{"id":630506656,"identity":"28dbcc85-2070-441d-b8cc-1aaa798b8a5b","order_by":1,"name":"Eyerus Muleta","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jimma University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eyerus","middleName":"","lastName":"Muleta","suffix":""},{"id":630506657,"identity":"2e7dd255-2bbf-4a74-9d17-fc2c8d938a2a","order_by":2,"name":"Zemene Worku","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Jimma University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Zemene","middleName":"","lastName":"Worku","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2026-03-25 21:08:28","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9227075/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9227075/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":108130735,"identity":"b2b15c40-35c2-45d1-befe-f0d4aabc58a9","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:32","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":696326,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDuring harvesting Aloe leaf in the field.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/98f3eb65a99610f58744d660.png"},{"id":108130694,"identity":"abb49c72-1e22-4b50-b479-0d028e53b034","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:07","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1006594,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDuring washing the harvested Aloe leaf\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/b7c247c3da44ab63f9a0f2ca.png"},{"id":108130665,"identity":"4bb62732-b09f-47d2-934a-6c4d8a0ad2f0","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:02","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1110002,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eSliced Aloe leaf for oven drying\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/d585d1ff373f7165e488e3e8.png"},{"id":108130650,"identity":"9ee16c8e-8b98-45b7-8e01-fb78acb4acd4","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:01","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":534211,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eExperimental feed contained Aloe leaf powder set for mixing\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/1cfd2dc59571566368ef5ae5.png"},{"id":108183233,"identity":"1a956528-65e9-4856-93f4-420f535dcf67","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-30 09:00:00","extension":"png","order_by":5,"title":"Figure 5","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":964242,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eManual mixing of Aloe leaf powder with experimental feed\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"5.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/57b5346d9b03907ef3179a28.png"},{"id":108130676,"identity":"28e74239-f5b2-4622-a3b2-9b8c902c9c4a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:05","extension":"png","order_by":6,"title":"Figure 6","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1008196,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDay old chicks upon their arrival in brooding pen\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"6.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/6bb0b8f0810ef6ae2f0ff941.png"},{"id":108130648,"identity":"93b78bf9-d12b-49e2-bd95-a612ff2cb674","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:00","extension":"png","order_by":7,"title":"Figure 7","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":998763,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eDuring measuring the weight of chicken at the end of experimental period\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"7.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/a1b8d85692b55f33fc70a2c6.png"},{"id":108130662,"identity":"080802b9-9929-4adb-bb61-8246e9e8f109","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:01","extension":"png","order_by":8,"title":"Figure 8","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":893535,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eBroiler chickens at the end of experiment\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"8.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/31e9a697a84a6606310c5a2f.png"},{"id":108130656,"identity":"db2917fb-99ef-4a65-bde2-1ee875c0622f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:01","extension":"png","order_by":9,"title":"Figure 9","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":1039443,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFigure 10: During slaughtering and defeathering the chicken\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"9.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/fe84c0b2cfed8de80937b575.png"},{"id":108130660,"identity":"c58c5607-8e97-405f-9dc4-b05f39e3bf83","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-29 16:10:01","extension":"png","order_by":10,"title":"Figure 10","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":908789,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eFigure 11: Weighing of dressed carcass and carcass cut up parts\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"10.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/255b5ed9cae23f3832ac1c4d.png"},{"id":108184047,"identity":"24022469-d19f-4565-b38e-e5e42969d896","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-04-30 09:03:08","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":14158966,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-9227075/v1/9f547649-35b4-4608-a821-b4461b083f3b.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Effect of Aloe (Aloe debrana) leaf powder supplementation as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters on production performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.","fulltext":[{"header":"INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eBroiler chicken have undergone years of selection due to their better economic importance particularly high growth rate and meat yield (Zuidhof \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e.,2006; Hristakieva \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2014). Unfortunately however, the fast growth rate and meat yield have been associated over the years with the use of antibiotic growth promoters as feed additives (Ahmed \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2014; Senthilkumar \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2015). In Ethiopia production of commercial broiler chicken including Cobb500 has been largely intense in some large commercial farms around Addis Ababa and its surrounding ( Dessie \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2017), which used antibiotics routinely as feed additives to improve the efficiency of growth, prevention and treatment of diseases ( Desta \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2020).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, aggravated utilization of antibiotics into poultry diet as growth promoters have been reported to causes increased resistance of pathogens to the antibiotics and enhanced residues of these substances in poultry products and environment (Toaha, \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2016). The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reported that, resistance to antibiotics continues to pose a significant global challenge to public health. Thus, due to this in 2006 the European Commission (EC) and most countries in the world agreed to ban the use of antibiotic as growth promoters from poultry industry (Ahmad \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2014, Toaha, \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2016). Unfortunately however, total prohibition of the use of antibiotics as growth promoter in poultry industry resulted in increased incidences of certain poultry diseases which in turn lead to poor growth performance and mortality (Wierup, 2000).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis situation warrants the use of natural product obtained from medicinal plants as an alternatives to antibiotics. Natural plant products obtained from medicinal plants are organic, easily affordable, acceptable by consumer and safe in terms of residual properties on the animal products. On the other hands natural plant products are reported to have comparable positive growth effects with that of antibiotics ( Ahmad \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2014). Among the alternative options, such as probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, organic acids and phytogenic plants have gotten a great deal of interest recently as natural growth promoter and potential substitute of antibiotics in poultry feeding (Jackson, 2004; Cross \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2007). Phytogenic plants i.e herbs, spices and related plant extract contain active compounds that naturally suppress proliferation of microbes with beneficial effects on growth performance of the animals (Basile \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 1999).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAmong the available phytogenic plants, Aloe locally known as \u0026ldquo;\u003cem\u003eRet\u003c/em\u003e\u0026rdquo; is widely used as traditional medicine by herbalists for a years in Ethiopia (Sebsebe and Nordal, 2010), and now it received particular attention by researcher as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters (Christaki, 2010). Most of the plant contain water and the remaining small solid portion contains more than 75 biologically active ingredients having a broad range of pharmacological activities to treat diseases (Yim \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2011). Phytochemicals present in Aloe include, anthraquinones, chromones, anthrone, glycosides and polyphenols and nutritional values include polysaccharides, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, proteins, amino acids and phenolic compounds which having anti- microbial, immunodulatory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Zeenate \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2018).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAbout more than 46 species of Aloe are known in Ethiopia, from which 24 of Aloe species are endemic to the country (Sebsebe \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2011). \u003cem\u003eAloe debrana\u003c/em\u003e is one of the endemic Aloe species and restricted in the southwest town of Debre Berhan district (Sebsebe and Nordal, 2010). It is abundantly available and high gel contents than other Aloe species (Sebsebe \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2011). Invitro study have also shown \u003cem\u003eAloe debrana\u003c/em\u003e possess antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiviral, antimalarial and antioxidant properties (Tekalign \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2010; Gashaw, 2013; Andualem, 2020). On the other hands, supplementation Aloe leaves specifically Aloe vera and Aloe ferox in different forms and levels to broiler chicken as natural additives were showed comparable effects with the commercial antibiotic growth promoter on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken (Amaechi and Iheanetu, 2014).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, there seems to be lack of information in Ethiopia on the use locally available Aloe leaf in poultry feeding as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters. Thus, keeping in view the facts stated above, this research was conducted to compare the effects of different levels of Aloe leaf powder supplementation with antibiotics (oxytetracycline) on production performance and carcass characteristics on broiler chicken.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"MATERIALS AND METHODS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eExperimental Site\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experiment was conducted at Jimma University College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (JUCAVM) poultry farm.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAloe leaf Collection and Processing\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdequate quantities of fresh and matured Aloe leaf was collected from Debrebirhan district. The collected Aloe leaf was prepared by removed thorny margins on the edge of the leaf. Afterwards, the leaf was washed with clean water and sliced into pieces and dried in oven at 65\u003csup\u003e0\u003c/sup\u003e C for 72 hours (Mohamed \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2017, Yadav \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2017). Oven-dried leaf was ground in to powder and passed through fine mesh wire sieve to obtain uniform powder.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eChemical Analysis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRepresentative samples of the Aloe leaf powder and the broiler\u0026rsquo;s diet were taken for laboratory feed analysis. The samples were oven dried and grounded to pass through 1mm sieve size. The grounded samples were stored in air-tight plastic bags until required for laboratory chemical analysis. Dry Matter (DM), Crude Fiber (CF), Crude Protein (CP) and total ash were determined according to AOAC (1990). Nitrogen-free extract was calculated by deducting the crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, ash and moisture from 100 (NFE\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;100 - (CP\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;CF\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;EE\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Ash+ moisture) Haneberg \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (1860). The metabolizable energy content of the feed ingredients was calculated using the following formula suggested by Pauzenga(1985). ME(kcal/kg)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;37*% CP\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;81.8*%EE\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;35.5*NFE.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDiet of the Chicken\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chickens were offered their diet in two phase. The first phase was starter phase (8\u0026ndash;28 days) which contained crude proteins (20.63%), crude fiber (4.90%), ether extract (5.40%), ash (6.74%), calcium (0.9%), energy 3096.60 Kcal/Kg and moisture 9.05%. This was followed by finisher phase (29\u0026ndash;49) diet which contained crude proteins (19.31%), crude fiber (5.48%), ether extract (6.49%), ash (5.56%), calcium (0.65%), energy 3167.99) Kcal/Kg and moisture 9% was provided for the chicken.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eExperimental Design and Treatment\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA total of 120 unsexed day old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were used for this study in complete randomized design (CRD). The detail of experimental design is explained in Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eExperimental Treatment Allocation\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eReplication\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChicks/rep\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChicks/ tret\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommercial broiler feed without additives\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommercial broiler feed+10g ALP/Kg feed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommercial broiler feed\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;20g ALP/ Kg feed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommercial broiler feed +1g OTC/Kg feed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"4\"\u003eALP=Aloe leaf powder, OTC= oxytetracycline\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eExperimental Chicken Management\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eEach group of the experimental chicks were housed in an individual experimental pen thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, well ventilated and provided with all the necessary poultry house equipment\u0026rsquo;s before the arrival of the chicks. Each groups were housed in an individual pen with dimension of 2.5x1m, designed to accommodate 10 chickens along with manual round feeders and drinkers. The broiler chicks were fed in two phases, i.e. broiler starter feed (8\u0026ndash;28 days) and broiler finisher feed (29\u0026ndash;49 days). The chicks were vaccinated against Newcastle disease (NCD) Hb1 at the 7th day and Lasota at 21th day and Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro) at the age of 14th and 28th days.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eData Collection\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec10\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eProduction Performance\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBody weight of the chicks were taken at the beginning of experiment (considered as initial weight) and then on weekly basis between 7:00\u0026ndash;8:00AM before feeding in the morning. Final body weight was taken at the end of the experiment. Body weight gain was determined as the difference between the two consecutive weeks body weight of the chicks. Weekly feed intake per group and per head were calculated as: FI= (Feed offered-feed leftover) per week. Feed conversion ratio was determined by dividing the average feed consumed by the average body weight gain. Mortality was recorded throughout the period of investigation.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eDetermination of Carcass characteristics\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAt the end of experiment, two chicks with comparable body weight were randomly selected per replicate for carcass and organ weight evaluation. The selected chicks were starved for 12 hours prior to slaughter while water was provided. The chicks were weighed to compare live and slaughter weights. Slaughtering was done by severing the jugular vein with a sharp knife. Dressing percentage was calculated as percentage of live weight excluding edible offal (skin, gizzard and liver). After evisceration, the data on hot carcass and organ weights were recorded and expressed in gram. Finally, the carcass were partitioned in to breast, wing, drumsticks with thigh, neck and back yields and weighed and expressed in gram based.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eData were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) by General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of statistical analysis system (SAS) version 9.3 (SAS,2010). Treatment means were compared with Tukey HSD test. The models used was: Yij\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;\u0026micro;\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;Ti\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;eij, Where: Yij\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Response variable, \u0026micro;\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Overall mean, Ti\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Treatment effect, eij\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Random error.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec14\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eChemical Composition of Aloe Leaf Powder\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe results of chemical composition of Aloe (\u003cem\u003eAloe debrana\u003c/em\u003e) leaf powder are presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e. As per this results, the protein content of Aloe leaf powder in this study was 13.76%. Similar to our finding, Haque \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e (2014) and Jaime \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2018) reported 10.50% and 11.75% CP were recorded from Aloe vera leaf powder. According to the result of the current study 20.85%CF was recorded from Aloe leaf powder, this value was in range with the finding of Zhang \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2018) reported Aloe vera leaf powder ranged from 18.8 to 27.5% CF. Ash content of Aloe leaf powder recorded in this study was 17.48%, this result was in line with Ahmed and Hussain (2013) reported ash content of Aloe vera leaf powder was 16.88%. The fat content of Aloe leaf powder recorded from the current study was 1.890%. The result was in agreement with that of Haque \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e (2014), Jaime \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2018) and Zhang \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2018) reported 1.83% ,2.30% and 2.2%, respectively of fat were recorded in oven dried Aloe leaf powder.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eChemical composition of Aloe leaf powder\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"3\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eChemical composition (DM%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"1\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eALP\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDM\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e90.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude protein\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCrude Fiber\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eAsh\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEther Extract\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.890\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNFE\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnergy (ME/Kg DM)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1949.88\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFeed Intake and Performance of the Experimental Chickens\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, feed intake of experimental chickens were showed non-significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) difference among the treatment groups throughout experiment. These might be due to consumption of similar iso caloric and iso nitrogenous feed in all treatment groups. Whereas, numerically the treatment groups on T1 and T4 had recorded highest feed intake during the starter phase of feeding trial but not showed significant differences amongst all treatment groups. This might be due to high fiber content of Aloe leaf powder, which resulting rough and gritty texture of the feed cause to reduce feed intake of the chicks in T2 and T3. Similar to our finding, Mmereole (2011) and Darabighane \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2017) reported during the starter phase birds fed antibiotics and control numerically performed better feed intake as compared to Aloe vera leaf powder supplemented group.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e On the other hands, during the finisher and entire period of feeding trial numerically highest feed intake were recorded in the treatment group containing 10g of Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed (T2) followed by antibiotics (T4), control (T1) and the least recorded in 20g Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed supplemented group (T3). Similar to our finding, Amaechi and Iheanetu (2014), Bernard \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2016) and Darabighane \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2017) reported feed intake of broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder and antibiotics were increased over time numerically as compared to the control. The increase feed intake of T2 might be due to the phytogenic substance in Aloe leaf that may change in feed taste, stimulate appetite and endogenous secretion which in turn improved feed intake as reported by Windisch \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2008) and Islam \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2017). Similarly, Karan and Vishavjit (2004) reported active ingredients in phytogenic plants are aromatic and increased feed palatability thus they had an effect on the feed intake of animals. Lower feed intake of T3 might be due to antinutritional substance as well as repulsive test and odor of the Aloe leaf powder which causes to decrease the feed intake. In line with our inference Adesuyi \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2012) reported that there is anti-nutritional substance like saponins, tannic acid, phytate and oxalate in Aloe leaf cause to depress the feed intake of the animals.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, non-significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) difference were observed among the treatment groups in body weight and weight gain during the starter phase of feeding trial. Similar to our finding, Sinurat \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2002) reported broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder were showed non-significant difference in body weight and weight gain with the antibiotics and control group during starter phase of feeding trial. On the other hand, this study showed significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) difference among the treatment groups in body weight and weight gain of broiler chickens during the finisher phase and entire period of feeding trial. As per this result, broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe leaf powder at a level of 10g per Kg feed (T2) was showed significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) higher body weight and weight gain followed by T4, T1 and T3, respectively during the finisher phase and entire period of feeding trial. This result provides evidence for the efficacy of Aloe leaf powder and its effects on body weight of broiler chicken.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe higher body weight and weight gain attained by T2 might be because of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Aloe leaf powder which aided digestion and thereby making absorption of the digested nutrients easy, inhibit colonization of pathogen and balance the gut microflora resulting in the increase of growth performance as reported by (Bedford, 2000; Durrani \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e, 2008). In agreement with our inference, Radha (2015) and Shokraneh \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e (2016) reported phytochemical substance in Aloe leaf works synergically which causes to anti-oxidant and reduce gut microflora that compete nutrients with the host and improve intestinal microflora for better absorption of nutrients.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffect of Aloe (\u003cem\u003eAloe debrana\u003c/em\u003e) leaf powder supplementation on feed intake and performance of the experimental chickens (Mean\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"6\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eParameter\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFI (g/chick)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarter phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e964.41\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;27.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e937.64\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e903.07\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;9.18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e963.38\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;44.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.37\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinisher phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3082.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3169.31\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3026.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3117.63\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;25.52\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEntire period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4047.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;48.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4106.90\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;31.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3929.60\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4081.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;65.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIBW(g/chick)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e148.18\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e137.34\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.51\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e143.68\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.548\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFinal BW(g/chick)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarter phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinisher phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e763.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;11.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2731.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;21.4\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e786.36\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.36\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2973.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;21.95\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e735.01\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;25.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2688.27\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;52.3\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e764.43\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;20.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2813.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;57.70\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.290\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.006\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBWG (g/chick)\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarter phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinisher phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEntire period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e615.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;7.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1968.12\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.33\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2583.44\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.58\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e643.14\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2187.62\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;22.44\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2830.76\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.42\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e597.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;23.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1953.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;30.41\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2550.97\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;52.0\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e620.75\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2049.08\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;38.46\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2669.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;52.49\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.263\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.004\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFCR\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarter phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinisher phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEntire period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.56\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.46\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.45\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.51\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.54\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.55\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.52\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.53\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.376\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.057\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.086\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMortality%\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eStarter phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFinisher phase\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEntire period\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.73\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.10 \u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.90\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.11\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.10\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.00\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.20\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.22\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.40\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.67\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.363\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.268\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.047\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeans followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each other at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05. T1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Control, T2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;10g ALP/Kg feed, T3\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20g ALP/Kg feed, T4\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1g/ oxytetracycline/ Kg feed, PV= Probability Value, FI= feed intake, IBW= Initial Body Weight, BGW= Body Weight gain, BW= Body Weight, FCR =Feed conversion ratio, Starter phase (8\u0026ndash;28 days), Finisher phase (29\u0026ndash;49 days) and entire period (8\u0026ndash;49 days).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDjeraba and Quere (2000) and Amaechi and Iheanetu (2014) also reported acemannan in Aloe leaf can stimulate the immune system and increase body resistance against harmful microorganism which causes subsequently improve the general health of birds in turn improve growth performance. The result of the current study was in agreement with Bernard \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2016) and Akram \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2019) reported at 35 days of broiler chickens were showed significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) higher body weight and weight gain in Aloe vera leaf supplemented groups as compared to the antibiotics and control. Similar to our inference, Jagadeeswaran \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2012), Ahmad \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2014) and Fallah (2015) reported broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder as natural feed additives were showed significantly higher body weight and weight gain as compared to the antibiotics treated and control groups\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e, significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) lower mortality were recorded in T3 followed by T2, T4 and the control group, respectively. These might be due to medicinal value of Aloe leaf powder causes to develop immune system of the chicken and protect from disease causing agents by inhibiting pathogenic micro-organism. In line with our finding, Zeenate \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2018) reported that Aloe leaves have antibiotic action that fights infections and protection against disease-causing agents as well as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties which have attributed to better immunity of broiler chicken. The results was in agreement with Akram \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2019) and Amber \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e (2021) reported significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) lower mortality were recorded in birds treated with Aloe vera leaves powder and gel as compared to the antibiotics and control group.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003eCarcass Characteristics\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAs presented in Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, The higher carcass weight was recorded in treatment group containing 10g Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed followed by group feed treatment containing 1g oxytetracycline and control, whereas the least scored by treatment containing 20g Aloe leaf powder per Kg feed. Similar to our finding, Shokraneh \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2016) and Yadav \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. (2017) reported carcass yield tended to increase in broiler chickens supplemented with 1% Aloe vera leaf powder as compared to antibiotic and control group. The higher carcass weight of T2 and T4 might be due to the higher body weight gain as compared to other treatment groups. In addition, the higher carcass weight of T2 might be because of phenolic, anthraquinous and antioxidant compound in Aloe leaf favors secretion of digestive enzymes in gut and improve feed intake of the chicken turns to higher weight gain and carcass yield (Doley and Singh, 2014; Zeenate \u003cem\u003eet al.\u003c/em\u003e, 2018). Also, it might be due to acemannan - a mannose polymer present in Aloe, this polysaccharide substance leads to an increase the population of beneficial microorganisms like lactobacillus and decrease the harmful bacteria like \u003cem\u003eE- Coli\u003c/em\u003e which leads to increase body weight gain and carcass yield of broiler chickens as reported by (Lin \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2005, Darabighane \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e., 2017).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eAs presented in\u003c/span\u003e Table \u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003ecarcass cut-up parts and internal organ weight of experimental chickens were showed non-significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) difference among the treatment groups. Similar to our finding, Shokraneh\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan type=\"ItalicSmallCaps\" class=\"ItalicSmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eet al\u003c/span\u003e. \u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e(2016) and Mohamed\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan type=\"ItalicSmallCaps\" class=\"ItalicSmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eet al.\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e(2017) reported internal organ weight of broiler chickens supplemented with Aloe vera leaf powder were showed non-significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) different with the antibiotics and control groups.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eEffect of Aloe (\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan type=\"ItalicSmallCaps\" class=\"ItalicSmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eAloe debrana\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003e) leaf powder supplementation on carcass\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan type=\"SmallCaps\" class=\"SmallCaps\" name=\"Emphasis\"\u003eand internal organ weights of experimental chickens (Means\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;SE)\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eParameters\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"5\" nameend=\"c6\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePV\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSlaughter wt (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2760.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;25.06\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2961.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;19.9\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2741.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;26.7\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2872.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;40.75\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.03\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCarcass wt (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1816.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;35.36\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1939.3\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;23.36\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1742.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;56.8\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1874.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;38.60\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDressing (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.92\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.48\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.49\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.554\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.23\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.77\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBreast (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e780.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;30.35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e834.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e724.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;13.41\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e813.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;39.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDrum+thigh (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e531.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;4.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e571.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;18.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e489.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;29.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e529.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;15.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eBack (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e292.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e314.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e322.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;17.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e322.50\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;12.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNeck (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.44\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.67\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.42\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eWing (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e141.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e146.00\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e139.30\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e141.80\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;5.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGizzard (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e55.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.66\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e53.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLiver (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e59.17\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;1.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e63.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e58.33\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;3.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;2.50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.343\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eKidney (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.83\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.054\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eHeart (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.5\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.93\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.56\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u0026thinsp;\u0026plusmn;\u0026thinsp;0.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.151\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMeans followed by the same letters are not significantly different from each other at P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eT1\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Control, T2\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;10g ALP/Kg feed, T3\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;20g ALP/Kg feed, T4\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;1g/ oxytetracycline/ Kg feed, PV= Probability Value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eConsidering the finding on this experiment, it can be conclude that Aloe leaf powder supplementation at a level of 10g/Kg feed have growth promoting characteristic to broiler chickens and potentially be used as alternative to the commercial antibiotic growth promoters. This will aid in the production of organic broiler products while also securing human health from the harmful effects of antibiotic residue in animal products. Hence, to increase productivity of broiler chickens the use of locally available Aloe leaf powder at the suggested level should be the best option as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters for chicken meat producer. Extra investigation should be required regarding to the effect of Aloe leaf powder supplementation on anti-microbial activity, blood profile and health status of broiler chicken. Different Aloe species are locally available in Ethiopia, so a study should be conducted to characterize them, assess their potential for establishment and evaluation under research station conditions, and assess their adaptability and effects on supplementation for other animals besides poultry, including their effectiveness in different forms and levels.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors would like to acknowledge Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, for providing the facilities for animal experimentation and laboratory work. We also appreciate the assistance of staff members and all individuals who contributed to the successful completion of this study.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics Approval and Consent \u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll experimental procedures involving animals were conducted in accordance with established guidelines for the care and use of agricultural animals in research. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by Jimma University, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Sciences. Appropriate animal management and handling practices were followed to ensure the welfare of the broiler chickens throughout the experimental period.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Participation\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for Publication\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConflict of interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no conflicts of interest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis research received no specific grant from any funding agency or organizations.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData Availability\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll data\u0026rsquo;s that support the finding of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. All images presented in the supplementary figures are original and belong to the authors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; Contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe corresponding author Zebene Ashine conceived and designed the experiment, conducted data collection, performed data analysis, interpreted the results, and wrote the manuscript. The co-authors Eyerus Muleta and Zemene Worku contributed by reviewing, providing critical comments, and supporting the writing and revision of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdesuyi, A.O., Awosanya, O.A., Adaramola, F.B. and Omeonu, A.I., 2012. 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Broiler meat quality and yield dynamics. \u003cem\u003ePoultry Service Industry Workshop, October\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e3rd\u003c/em\u003e \u0026ndash; \u003cem\u003e5th\u003c/em\u003e,: 79\u0026ndash;88.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-agriculture","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Agriculture](https://www.springer.com/journal/44279)","snPcode":"44279","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44279/3","title":"Discover Agriculture","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Aloe leaf powder, antibiotics, carcass characteristics, growth performance","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9227075/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-9227075/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eThe study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Aloe leaf powder supplementation as an alternative to commercial antibiotics (oxytetracycline) on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 120-day-old Cobb-500 broiler chicks were arranged in a complete randomized design. A group of 10 chicks per pen in three replication were treated with control (T1), 10g ALP per Kg feed (T2), 20 g ALP per Kg feed (T3) and 1g(T4) oxytetracycline per Kg of feed. Data were collected on production performance and carcass characteristics. All collected data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SAS software. The results showed that, there were non-significant (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) difference among the treatment groups in feed intake and feed conversion ratio throughout the experiment. Significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) higher body weight and weight gain were recorded in T2 and T4 during finisher phase and entire period of feeding trial. Treatment groups supplemented with T2 and T4 were showed significantly (P\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05) higher carcass weight as compared to other treatment groups. The result of mortality were indicated that, significantly higher mortality was recorded in control group followed by T4, T2 and the least mortality was recorded in T3\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cem\u003eBased on the results, it can be concluded that, supplementation of Aloe leaf powder at a level of 10g per kg feed had comparable effects with antibiotics in all measured parameters. This showed that supplementation of Aloe leaf powder at a level of 10g/Kg feed as a natural feed additive can positively replace commercial antibiotics without affecting the production performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicken. Further research may be required on its effectiveness on different forms and levels on different classes of poultry on blood profile and general health status.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of Aloe (Aloe debrana) leaf powder supplementation as alternative to antibiotics growth promoters on production performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens.","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2026-04-29 16:09:18","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-9227075/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-06T10:09:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-05T04:57:02+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-01T20:52:20+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-29T21:11:11+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-27T16:31:59+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"151719471243902062530348277123676257347","date":"2026-04-27T16:07:09+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-26T07:35:56+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"8657272997714908466103936560819241897","date":"2026-04-23T17:05:07+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"262406481510426325071725680014715561333","date":"2026-04-23T11:12:36+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-22T19:54:20+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"37348099762239021288433610585284677298","date":"2026-04-22T18:48:41+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"328735967924003258857338665183597949955","date":"2026-04-21T06:48:26+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"188609950641107291456967537019483761547","date":"2026-04-21T05:02:21+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"183934465600452379813633747927100348793","date":"2026-04-21T04:56:51+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2026-04-21T04:33:39+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2026-04-13T10:58:53+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2026-04-08T08:54:02+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Discover Agriculture","date":"2026-04-08T08:08:11+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"discover-agriculture","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"Learn more about [Discover Agriculture](https://www.springer.com/journal/44279)","snPcode":"44279","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/44279/3","title":"Discover Agriculture","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"stoa","reportingPortfolio":"Discover Series","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"eb0e79c3-4495-4574-8242-69927c1a01d4","owner":[],"postedDate":"April 29th, 2026","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2026-05-06T10:09:37+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-05T04:57:02+00:00","index":48,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-05-01T20:52:20+00:00","index":46,"fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2026-04-29T21:11:11+00:00","index":44,"fulltext":""}],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"in-revision","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-05-06T10:25:59+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2026-04-29 16:09:18","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-9227075","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-9227075","identity":"rs-9227075","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"XKTyCvWXoU3ODBz1xrDgd","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}