Effect of herbal additives on the performance of broiler chicken.

摘要

This study was carried out to determine the effects of herbal growth promoters on the performance and serum biochemical constituents of broilers. 216 Hubbard Paterson broiler chicks were divided into 6 groups. The control group was offered the standard diet consisting of yellow maize, wheat bran, soyabean oilmeal, fat, fish meal and premix. The other 5 groups were also given the same basal diet along with herbal growth promoters: 0.1 ml superliv (T1); 0.05 g zeetres (T2); combination of T1 and T2 (T3); 0.2 ml superliv (T4); and 0.1 g zeetres (T5). The total body weight and average daily gain (ADG) were significantly higher (P<0.05) in T3, followed by T4, T5, T2 and T1, compared to the control group. The total feed intake was significantly lower (P<0.05) in T1 than in the other groups. The feed conversion efficiency (FCE) was insignificantly different among the groups. However, the overall performance was highest in (P<0.05) in T3, followed by T1, T4, T5 and T2. The serum glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the control group compared to the other groups. The serum calcium levels were significantly higher in the treated groups than in the control group. Serum phosphorus and total protein levels were unaffected by herbal growth promoter addition to the diet. Serum alkaline phosphatase level was significantly highest in T4 and lowest in the control group. Differences in serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase concentration were insignificant among the groups. Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase levels were significantly higher in T4 and T5. It was concluded that supplementation of herbal growth promoters in the form of superliv at 0.1 ml plus zeetres at 0.05 g daily in the broiler ration was beneficial in terms of performance index and some blood constituents.