Effect of Alligator Weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides) Supplementation on Production Performance, Immune Response and Antioxidant Function of Improved Rural Chicken

TL;DR

Adding 1% alligator weed to chicken feed improves growth, immunity, and stress resistance in rural poultry, especially during winter.

Contribution

This study demonstrates that alligator weed can be repurposed as a sustainable feed supplement to enhance poultry performance and immunity.

Findings

Chickens fed 1% alligator weed had better body weight, weight gain, and feed efficiency, especially in winter.

The 1% alligator weed group showed significantly higher immune gene expression and antioxidant enzyme activity.

Cold stress effects were mitigated by 1% alligator weed supplementation, improving poultry productivity and immunity.

Abstract

This study addresses the dual challenges of cold stress in rural poultry and the ecological threat posed by alligator weed (AW; Alternanthera philoxeroides), an invasive plant. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of incorporating AW as a dietary supplement on production performance, immune responses, and antioxidant levels in Vanaraja chicks during the summer and winter season. The results showed that chickens fed a diet with 1% AW had a noticeably better body weight, weight gain and feed intake, along with a more efficient feed use, especially during winter. These chickens also demonstrated stronger immune responses and better protection against stress, as indicated by higher levels of beneficial immune signals and natural defence enzymes in their bodies. These findings suggest that 1% AW supplementation mitigates the effects of cold stress, enhances productivity and boosts immunity in poultry. By repurposing an invasive weed as a sustainable and cost-effective feed additive, this study offers a solution to improve rural poultry farming while addressing environmental challenges, contributing to food security and ecological sustainability.

Alligator weed (AW; Alternanthera philoxeroides) can have severe ecological and economic consequences by impacting water quality, flow and the growth of native flora and fauna. Plants, both edible and inedible, contain phenolics, compounds that can serve as antioxidants. Using this background information, the study aimed to explore the possible antioxidative nature of AW by incorporating it as a supplement on production performance, gene expression, and antioxidant levels during the summer and winter seasons in improved-variety rural chicks. A total of 400 improved-variety Vanaraja chicks (35 days old), were used in each of the two seasons (summer and winter), making a combined total of 800 birds (n = 400 for each summer and winter season). The chicks were subjected to four experimental dietary treatments over a 35-day period during both seasons. The experimental diet consisted of the following: a control diet without any supplements (C); basal diet + 1% AW (T1); basal diet + 2% AW(T2); and basal diet + 4% AW(T3). The production performance, cytokine gene expression (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and iNOS) and serum antioxidants, viz. catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were evaluated. The results indicated that body weight, average body weight gain and weekly feed intake in the T1 group was significantly (p < 0.05) higher as compared to the other groups. The FCR in group T1 was significantly (p < 0.05) lower during winter than in summer. A significant (p < 0.001) upregulation in the expression of IL-6, IL-1β and IL-12 in T1 as compared to the other groups was reported. IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6 and iNOS were significantly (p < 0.001) upregulated in winter. SOD and CAT activity was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in T1 compared to C, and both were significantly (p < 0.05) higher during winter than in summer. The results suggested that AW has the potential to mitigate the consequences of cold stress on growth, immune response, and antioxidant function during winter. We propose adding 1% AW, which can possibly function as an antioxidant, to the diet of chicks to enhance their production performance and immunity levels.

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