Harnessing of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) Pomace Powder on Growth Response and Haematological Indices of Sonali Chickens

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Tomato pomace, a processing by‐product rich in lycopene and polyphenols, has not yet been systematically evaluated as a functional dietary supplement for Sonali chickens in Bangladesh. Objective This study assessed the dose‐dependent effects of dried tomato pomace powder (TPP) as a dietary additive on the growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass traits, haematological indices and economic returns of Sonali chickens under tropical conditions in Bangladesh. Methods A total of 180, one day‐old Sonali chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments, T0 (basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 2% TPP), T2 (basal diet + 4% TPP) and T3 (basal diet + 6% TPP), with three replicates of 15 birds each, and reared for 63 days at the Central Poultry Farm, HSTU, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. Results The T3 group achieved the highest final live body weight, the greatest weight gain and the most efficient feed conversion, followed by T2, T1 and T0 (p < 0.05). Carcass weight and breast, thigh and drumstick yields were significantly higher in T3. Blood analysis showed significantly lower total cholesterol and LDL together with higher HDL in the T3 group. The economic analysis indicated that T3 generated the highest net profit per bird, differing significantly from T0 (p < 0.05). Conclusion Supplementing the diet with dried TPP at 6% significantly improved growth performance, carcass quality, lipid metabolism and financial returns in Sonali chickens, indicating that it is a viable, low‐cost functional feed supplement for tropical poultry production systems.