Abstract:
An experiment was conducted to study the efficiency of turmeric dietary
rhizome powder on performance of broilers at different inclusion levels.
Basal diet was supplemented with turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) at three
different levels: 1g/kg feed, 2g/kg feed and 3g/kg feed with a control
treatment. Thirty unisexed broiler chicks of Cobb strain at 21 days old were
randomly allocated to each replicate of different treatments, and each
treatment was replicated thrice. Each test diet was fed ad-libitum from 21st
to 44th day. Total feed intake, weight gain per bird, feed conversion ratio,
live weight at 45th day, carcass weight and dressing percent were the
parameters determined. Data was analyzed using Statistical Analysis
Software (Version 9.0). The results revealed that the significant difference
(P<0.05) among differently treated broiler flocks was observed for total feed
intake, weight gain, live weight at 45th day, carcass weight dressing percent
and mortality. Further, the statistical analysis also revealed that the weight
gain per bird (1483.0±22.1g), live weight (2425.0±45.4g) and carcass weight
(1990.0±38.4g) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in broiler flocks treated
with turmeric at 3g/kg feed. Feed intake also significantly lower in flock
treated with reduced turmeric at 3g/kg feed. The dressing percent (86.4±1.7)
was significantly higher (P<0.05) when the birds were fed with turmeric in
2g/kg feed. From the study, it was concluded that the turmeric rhizome
powder at the rate of 3g/kg feed would have the potential of increasing the
performance of broilers in terms of some growth and yield traits. However,
further research related to mechanism of the action of turmeric and its
interaction with other factors of production is necessary.
