Low energy and high protein diet for  chicks  while high energy and low protein diet for growers enhanced performance of local fowl. The results of the studies are as shown in Tables 21 to 22. For better use of antibiotics, the absorption characteristics of therapeutic antimicrobial substances should be known. The precise mechanism by which antibacterial substances promote growth and mode of action of dissimilar antibiotics as used in combination in the study at sub-optimal level need further investigation (Tables 23 to 26).  

 

Several studies with broilers have indicated that probiotic preparations improved live weight gain and feed conversion rate, and markedly reduce mortality (Owings et al., 1990; Jin et al., 1996; Awaad et al., 2001). Dunham et al. (1993) reported that birds treated with Lactobacillus reuteri exhibited longer ileal vili and deeper crypts, which are a response, associated with enhanced T cell function, and increased production of anti-salmonella IgM antibodies. Enterococcus faesium as  used  as  probiotic  like  lactobacillus  could  be important in the development of immunity looking at the table of blood metabolites. Immunity resulting from gut exposure to a variety of antigens, such as pathogenic bacteria and dietary protein, is important in defense of young animal against enteric infection (Perdigon et al., 1995). Tables 27 to 29 depicted performance of local birds on diets supplemented with prebiotics and probiotics. The additives enhanced performance, derived and acquired immunity of the birds. Also on experiment with plantain peels meal at the starter and finisher phases all the parameters measured were not significant (P>0.05). But results compared favorably with that reported on broilers by Tewe (1983). The average initial weight of the test birds was 32.00 g and at the end of starter phase attained 133.30 g corresponding to the early stages of growth of the fowl. This potential can be utilized in the improvement of the local birds as table birds. The birds had the capacity to put on weight easily especially when fed with plantain peel meal at  the early stages of life. The study substituted maize with PPM at 6% inclusion level fed to indigenous chickens at starter  (0 to 4 wks)  and  finisher (5  to 8 wks)  phases  in order to achieve with the control the same level of performance at a relatively cheaper cost of the diet. The plantain peels meal enhanced performance at early stage of life of the birds and the cost of feed very effective. The experiment was done under intensive management system. Plantain peels meal may be useful as cost effective ingredient in the ration of local birds at relatively safe level during the early stages of life of the bird. Therefore, PPM can be used in profitable poultry production. The composition of feed and performance of the birds fed plantain peels meal are shown in the Tables 30 to 33.