Effect of Dietary Inclusion of Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and Garlic (Allium sativum) Powders as Feed additives on Performance of Broiler Chicken

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary inclusion of garlic, turmeric and their combinations on performance of broilers (Cobb strain). Two hundred and forty day-old unsexed broiler chicks were procured and randomly divided into five dietary treatment group (n=48). Birds in control (C) group were administered antibiotic levofloxacin at 2.5 g/l of drinking water, however, antibiotic was replaced with dietary inclusion of either 1% turmeric (T₁), 1% garlic (T₂), 0.6% turmeric+0.4% garlic (T₃), or 0.6% garlic+0.4% turmeric (T₄). The diets formulated were isocaloric and isonitrogenous. The feeding trial was conducted for 6 weeks. The results revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher cumulative feed intake in group T₃, while body weight gain (g) showed no difference (P>0.05) among groups. Feed conversion ratio was found to be better in groups T₂ and T₄. Protein efficiency ratio was found to be higher in group T₂ (P<0.05). The villi length of duodenum; epithelial and glandular epithelial height of jejunum, glandular epithelial height and diameter of glands of ileum were higher in group T₂ (P<0.05). The 1% garlic supplemented group showed the best cost benefit ratio. It was concluded that 1% garlic powder supplementation in the diet may substitute antibiotics without any adverse effect in broilers.