ASSESSMENT OF GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS AND TISSUE RESIDUAL LEVELS OF OXYTETRACYCLINE ADMINISTERED TO BROILER BIRDS IN SEMI-ARID ZONE OF SOKOTO

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study investigated the effect of oxytetracycline administered on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and usage and withdrawal period on broiler birds. The study was conducted in two (2) phases. Phase one of the studies was a survey in sokoto metropolis, where 30 farmers were purposively sampled and administered a structured questionnaire. The second phase is conducted using a total of 288 broiler birds in a Completely Randomized Design. Four treatments; T1(20 mg/kg), T2 (40 mg/kg), T3 (60 mg/kg) and T4 control. The results of the survey revealed that majority (76.7%) of farmers used oxytetracycline and only 33.3% adhered to recommended withdrawal period. The results of starter on the experiment revealed significant difference (P<0.05) in feed intake, final body weight and weight gain in all the treatments. The result of the finisher phase of the experiment was shown that, there were significant difference (P<0.05) in the feed intake, body weight and body weight gain. The result of carcass characteristics of the study showed significant difference (P<0.05) among the treatments. The OTC residue quantification results shows residue within the acceptable limit in all the sampled (Heart, Liver, Kidney and Muscle) collected across all the treatments of the experiment. The result of the study concluded that bird administered diet with highest dosage of OTC supplementation had better performance in average body weight per bird (1483.93). At seven days withdrawal period traces of oxytetracycline found on tissue and organs analysis are within the acceptable limit. With the good management and hygiene, broiler can be reared antibiotics-free, to avoid the danger of consuming meat with drug residue