Heat Stress Control of Chickens: Effects of Griffonia simplicifolia (DC.) Baill. Seed on Zootechnical and Blood Parameters

Background: Heat stress is one of the main causes of mortality and reduced productivity in poultry. The current study aims to control heat stress of chickens by incorporating the seed of G. simplicifolia in their feed. Methods: This study was carried out in a poultry farm located at Badja (Togo) for three months on 210-day-old chicks of Sasso strain, divided into five groups. The birds of groups T0, T2, T3 and T4 received G. Simplicifolia seed in their feed at doses of 0.0; 2.5; 5.0 and 10.0 g /kg of feed respectively. The chickens of group T0 served as negative control group. Chickens of group T1 were fed 0.5 g of aspirin /kg of feed, served as a positive control group. Result: The result showed that the supplementation of G. simplicifolia seed in the feed improved the zootechnical and physiological parameters of the Sasso broilers. The presence of 5-HTP, fats, phenolic compounds and carotenoids in the seed improved the bird performances. In conclusion, G. simplicifolia seed can be used as an alternative to reduce heat stress of chickens in tropical regions.