Effect of Mitragyna speciosa Korth Supplements on Productive Performance and Hematology Profiles in Broiler Chickens
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Abstract
Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) is a medicinal plant native to Thailand, with its leaves commonly used to treat various diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Kratom as a feed additive on the productive performance and blood variables of broiler chickens. A total of 160 Ross 308 male broilers, aged 1 day, were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups, each consisting of 4 replicates with 10 broilers per replicate. The chickens were subjected to a completely randomized design (CRD). The four treatments were as follows: (1) control group, fed a diet without kratom leaf powder; (2) diet with 0.3% kratom leaf powder; (3) diet with 0.6% kratom leaf powder; and (4) diet with 0.9% kratom leaf powder. The diet formulations were divided into two phases: the starter phase (1-21 days) and the finisher phase (22-42 days). Experimental diets contained 23% crude protein during the starter phase and 20% crude protein during the finisher phase, with 3,100 and 3,200 kcal/kg of gross energy, respectively. Chickens were fed ad libitum with constant access to fresh water throughout the study. The results showed that kratom leaf inclusion significantly affected Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) (P<0.05). The diets containing 0.6% and 0.9% kratom leaf powder improved FCR (1.84), compared to the control (2.17) and the 0.3% kratom leaf powder group (2.14). However, the kratom leaf powder had no significant effect on blood variables, including white blood cell count, heterophil count, lymphocyte count, and H/L ratio. In conclusion, a 0.6% inclusion of kratom leaf powder improved FCR in broiler chickens.
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