DIETARY EFFECT OF TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) POWDER ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating the dietary effect of different levels of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder on the performance of broiler during summer (June-July), 2013. Four experimental rations designated as T0, T1, T2 and T3 having 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% Turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder was fed to 120 broiler chicks (Ross 308), randomly distributed into 12 replicates, so as to have 3 replicates per treatment and 10 chicks per replicate. The experiment carried out for 28 days. Average weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, dressing yield and survivability were used as criteria of response to feeding turmeric powder. Organs weight including heart, liver and gizzard was also recorded. The mean body weight gain per broiler was 1079, 1279, 1137 and 1151g in 28 days for groups T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively (P<0.01). The average feed consumption per broiler was 1999, 1796, 1890 and 1854 g (P>0.05) in 28 days for groups T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The average feed efficiency (feed/gain) was 1.86, 1.41, 1.66 and 1.61 (P<0.01) in 28 days for group T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The mean dressing yield was 57%, 61%, 58% and 59% (P<0.05) for groups T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The average weight of liver was 43, 42, 43 and 43 g (P>0.05) and the average weight of heart was 8.6, 8.01, 8.3 and 8.15 g (P>0.05) for groups T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The mean gizzard weight was 37, 38, 37 and 37 g (P>0.05) for groups T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Survivability was 96%, 93%, 96% and 93% (P>0.05) for groups T0, T1, T2, and T3, respectively. It was concluded that the use of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) as feed additive at a level of 0.5% enhances the overall performance of broiler chicks. Research to investigate the effect of different levels of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) in layers and breeders is recommended.