Use of Cucurma longa and Coriandrum sativum powder as dietary supplements enhances growth performance, expression of growth-related nutritional genes and maintenance in broiler chickens

Abstract

A 35-day trial was conducted using day-old Cobb 400Y broiler chicks (N=200) to investigate the effects of incorporating turmeric (Curcuma longa) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) powders, both individually and in combination, on growth performance metrics such as feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, performance index, and gene expression of growth-related markers. The chicks were divided into four treatment groups with 50 birds per group, further split into five replicates of 10 birds each: T-0 (control group receiving a standard basal diet), T-1 (0.75% turmeric powder in the basal diet), T-2 (2% coriander powder in the basal diet), and T-3 (0.75% turmeric plus 2% coriander powder in the basal diet). Results showed significant improvements in feed intake, weekly weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and performance index, especially in the T-3 group, with the T-2 and T-1 groups also outperforming the control group. Growth-related genes, including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone receptor (GHR), were expressed at higher levels in the T-3 group, followed by T-2 and T-1. Additionally, significant increases were noted in dry matter, crude protein, and ether extract retention in the groups receiving turmeric and coriander supplements, although calcium and phosphorus retention remained statistically unchanged across all treatment groups compared to the control.