| dc.description.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. | en_US |
