Effect of Supplementing Beetroot (Beta Vulgaris Rubra) Powder and Its Aqueous Extract on Productive Performance of Growing Geese

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the influence of supplementing beetroot (Beta vulgaris rubra) powder and its aqueous extract on the productive performance of growing geese. A total of 180 one-day-old goslings chicks of Chinese white geese were randomly distributed among five treatment groups containing three replicates of 12 birds each. Five experimental diets were formulated as follows: Control diet without supplementation (T1). In the second and third treatments, the beetroot extract was supplemented at 15, and 30 (ml/l) in drinking water; 15, and 30 (g/kg) beetroot powder (T4, T5) in basal diet respectively. Results indicated significant (p≤0.05) improvement in average body weight and weight gain from the 2nd to 12th week and total weight gain in treatment T2 and T4, which achieved the highest values compared to the control. As for feed intake, the T3 in the 6th week, T1 in the 8th week, and T2 in the 10th week were consumed a greater amount of feed compared to the other treatments, while no significant differences appeared in the 2, 4, and 12 weeks of age and in the cumulative period. No significant differences in the feed conversion ratio at age 2, 10, and 12 weeks, while the T5 in the 4th week, T2 in the 6th week, and the T4 in the 8th week, and the cumulative period showed the better feed conversion ratio compared to the other treatments. In conclusion, the supplementation of beetroot extract at 15, 30 (ml/l) or beetroot powder at 15, 30 (g/kg) improved the productive performance of growing geese.