Thermoregulatory Response, Growth Performance and Organ Weights of FUNAAB-Alpha Chicken Genotypes Administered Sweet Citrus Peel Powder

Thermoregulatory response and growth performance of FUNAAB-Alpha chickens administered sweet citrus peel powder (SCPP) were investigated in a twelve weeks experiment. A total of 360 1-day-old FUNAAB Alpha chicks were used for the study, comprising 120 birds per genotype: Normal feather (NF), Naked neck (NN) and Frizzle feather (FF). Birds were randomly allotted into 12 treatment groups: NF: 0 g, 3 g, 6 g and 9 g of SCPP, NN: 0 g, 3 g, 6 g and 9 g of SCPP, FF: 0 g, 3 g, 6 g and 9 g of SCPP. Each treatment was replicated thrice with 10 birds per replicate. No (p > 0.05) interactive and main effect of genotype and dosage of SCPP was observed on the Rectal temperature, Skin temperatures under wing and of the breast among the treatments. Similar (p > 0.05) interactive effect was observed on the respiratory rate (RR), however, higher (p < 0.001) RR was recorded in NN and FF compared with NF. Birds in the control group had the highest (p < 0.005) RR compared with birds administered 3 g and 9 g of SCPP/L of water. Interaction and main effect of SCPP dosage on heterophil (H), lymphocyte (L) and heterophil lymphocyte ratio (H/L) were not significant (p > 0.05) across the treatment groups. However, genotype significantly (p < 0.000) influenced H, L and H/L. The FF and NN had significantly (p < 0.000) lower H/L compared with the NF. Higher (p < 0.000) weight gain (WG) was observed in FF and NN compared to NF chickens. Significantly (p < 0.020) lower FCR was observed in 6 g/L (2.26), 3 g/L (2.65) and 9 g/L (2.66) of FF compared with NF on 9 g/L (4.03). Dosage of SCPP significantly (p < 0.001) influenced the relative weights of the intestine. In conclusion, lower H/L, higher WG and better FCR were observed in the NN and FF genotypes with the best FCR recorded at 6 g SCPP/L of water.