Performance of Broiler Chicken's Fed Diets Containing Different Inclusion Levels of Black Cumin (Nigella sativa L) seed powder

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.