Abstract:
In order to study the effect
of turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) on performance and carcass characteristics
of broiler chickens, an in vivo experiment was conducted. A corn-
soybean meal based diet containing levels of TRP (0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and
0.75%) was used. In a completely randomized design with four treatments
of five replicates each, and 10 chickens per replicate, 200, Ross male
broiler chickens from 0-49 days were studied. For performance, feed
intake and body weight gain recorded weekly. For carcass characteristics,
at the end of experiment at 49 days of age, one chicken from each replicate
of treatments were weighed, slaughtered and the relative weight of liver,
pancreas, spleen, heart and abdominal fat pad measured. By Roche colour
fan, skin colour was also measured. In all weeks the amounts of feed
intake, weight gain and feed to gain ratio in broilers fed treatments
were not significantly different. Addition of TRP into the diets significantly
(P< 0.05) decreased relative abdominal fat pad and heart weights to live
body weight. Under the conditions of this experiment, it was concluded
that TRP may improve carcass quality and leaner meat would be predictable.
Use of TRP as a reducing heart weight factor, may show some improve
in circulatory and respiratory systems that needs to be clarified.
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