Abstract:
Broiler meat is one of the major protein sources in Sri Lanka. The broiler farming in Sri Lanka is becoming non-profitable among small holders mainly due to high feed cost. To utilize the feed efficiently some plant-based products
are used as feed additives. Black cumin is one of the natural plant products used to improve the feed efficiency and
performance of broilers. The present study was conducted to analyses the performance of broilers at different levels
of black cumin diet. Three different levels of black cumin seed power (0-control, 1,2 and 3 g/kg feed) were included in
broiler diet. Twenty five unisexed broiler chicks were randomly allocated among four treatments. The results of the
study revealed that the performance parameters such as daily feed intake, average live weight, weekly weight gain,
carcass weight, dressing percent and feed conversion efficiency were significantly different (P<0.05) among
different treatments. Feed intake (138.0±4.2g), live weight (2.3±0.5 kg), weekly weight gain (211.0±0.5 g), carcass
weight (1.8±0.8 kg), dressing percent (77.7±6.3%) and feed conversion efficiency (0.58±0.1) were significantly
higher (P<0.05) in broiler flock fed with black cumin at the rate of lg/kg feed compared with other treatments.
Further, significantly lowest (P<0.05) values were recorded for all the performance parameters such as daily feed
intake (132.8±5.0 g), live weight (1.9±0.2 kg), weight gain (158.0±22.1 g), carcass weight (1.4±0.4 kg) except feed
conversion ratio, dressing percent and mortality in broiler flock fed with black cumin at the rate of 3g/kg feed. A zero
percent mortality was observed in broiler flocks fed with black cumin at the rates of 2 and 3 g/kg feed. It was
concluded that the black cumin at the rate of 1 g/kg feed have the potential of increasing the performance of broilers.
However, further research related to mechanism of the action of black cumin and, its interaction with other factors of
production are necessary.
