Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Feeding Coriander Seeds, Black Pepper, and Turmeric Powder on Feed Acceptability, Growth Performance and Economics in Commercial Broilers

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of coriander seed, turmeric powder, and black pepper on feed intake, growth performance, and economic efficiency in commercial broiler chickens. The experimental data were statistically analyzed following the procedures by using a Randomized Block Design (RBD). The study was carried out at the Poultry Unit of the Instructional Livestock Farm Complex, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, for six weeks, from May 1st to June 11th, 2016. Dry matter content of feed samples was determined by drying in a hot air oven at 100°C for 24 hours. Proximate analysis of representative feed samples was carried out using standard procedures. Blood samples were aseptically drawn from the wing vein and placed in containers with labels that contained the anticoagulant sodium ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (Na-EDTA). Using the Sahli's acid hematin method, the micro-hematocrit method for packed cell volume (PCV), and a hemocytometer for total erythrocyte count (TEC) and total leucocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin concentration was calculated. For biochemical analysis, blood samples were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to separate plasma, which was then stored at −20°C until further analysis. The results of the study revealed that dietary supplementation of coriander seed (2%), turmeric powder (2%), and black pepper (0.5%) significantly improved body weight gain and feed consumption in broiler chickens. Although feed conversion ratio (FCR) was numerically lower in the coriander seed and black pepper supplemented groups compared to the control and turmeric powder groups, the differences were statistically non-significant. Hematobiochemical parameters and carcass characteristics were not adversely affected by supplementation of coriander seed, turmeric powder, or black pepper in broiler diets. Economic analysis indicated that only the coriander seed and black pepper supplemented groups yielded positive returns over the control group.