Growth Performance, Carcass and Organ Characteristics of Broiler Chickens Administered Aqueous Pawpaw Leaf (Carica papaya) Extract.

The search for natural, eco-friendly alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in poultry production has become essential for sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. This study investigated the effects of aqueous pawpaw (Carica papaya) leaf infusion (PLAE) on the growth performance, carcass, and organ characteristics of broiler chickens. A total of 150 day-old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were allotted to five treatments with three replicates each (10 birds per replicate) in a completely randomized design. Treatments consisted of a negative control (plain water), a positive control, and three inclusion levels of pawpaw leaf infusion at 10, 20, and 30 g/L, respectively. The trial lasted six weeks. Results showed that birds administered PLAE had comparable (p > 0.05) growth performance and carcass yield to the control groups. Carcass components such as breast, thigh, and drumstick weights were not significantly affected by PLAE inclusion, although abdominal fat tended to decrease in treated groups. Organ weights, including liver, heart, kidney, and spleen, were also similar across treatments, indicating that the infusion had no detrimental physiological or toxic effects. The findings demonstrate that aqueous pawpaw leaf infusion can safely replace conventional antibiotics without compromising productivity or meat quality. In line with the principles of climate-smart agriculture, the use of pawpaw leaf infusion supports sustainable livestock production by promoting local resource utilization, reducing environmental contamination, and lowering the risk of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, Carica papaya leaf infusion represents a viable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable alternative for antibiotic-free broiler production systems.