Growth Performance and Nutrient Utilization of Broiler Chickens Fed Herbal Feed Mixtures

Abstract

A 42-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding a herbal feed mixture comprising moringa leaves, curry leaves and turmeric powder in a ratio of 1.5:1.0:0.5 on growth performance and nutrient utilization of broiler chickens.  A total of 120 day-old commercial broiler chicks were randomly distributed into four groups, namely T0, T1, T2 and T3 with 30 chicks in each group. Birds were fed according to the ICAR (2013) feeding standard, with group T0 (the control group) receiving the standard pre-starter, starter and finisher broiler rations. The standard rations for T1, T2 and T3 during the different phases were supplemented with the herbal mixture at rates of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 per cent, respectively. Body weight gain, ADG and FCR differed significantly (P<0.05) among the treatment groups and birds in T3 receiving 1.5% of the herbal mixture achieved significantly (P<0.05) greater body weight gain and a lower FCR. ADG was significantly higher (P<0.05) in T2 and T3. The apparent digestibility of DM, OM and CF, and the retention of N, Ca and P, were significantly higher (P<0.01) in T3. The results of the present study indicated that the dietary herbal mixture, used as a feed additive, had positive effects on weight gain, FCR and the retention of N, Ca and P in broiler chickens.