Carcass Traits of Broilers as Affected by Natural Growth Promoters

Abstract

The widespread ban on the use of some antibiotics as growth promoters has led to the search for alternative sources. This study was conducted to determine the effects of herbal plants (lemongrass, oregano, and yellow ginger) at different levels (0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3%) as feed supplements for broilers. Three hundred (300) day-old chicks were randomly distributed into eighteen treatment combinations replicated thrice employing Strip-Split Plot Design. This study showed that lemongrass, oregano, and yellow ginger can be used as natural growth promoters without adverse effects on the carcass traits of broilers, particularly on dressing percentage, leaf fat, liver weight, and gizzard weight. The gizzard weight of the experimental birds supplemented with 0.1% herbal plant meal was significantly heavier which means that adding 0.1% of lemongrass, oregano, and yellow ginger to the diet of birds results in a bigger gizzard. Chickens with larger digestive organs ate less feed and produced less waste. This could make poultry production more environmentally and economically sustainable.