Effect of Turmeric Rhizome Powder as Feed Additive on Broiler Chicken’s Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Nutrient Digestibility Coefficient

Abstract

A research investigation aimed to assess the impact of different levels of turmeric rhizome powder as a feed additive on broiler chickens' growth performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility coefficient. The study utilized two hundred and fifty-day-old chicks of the Abor Acre strain. Five diets were formulated for both the starter and finisher phases, incorporating turmeric rhizome powder at levels of 0g, 100g, 200g, 300g, and 400g per 100kg of feed. These diets were designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The birds were separated into five groups of fifty birds each, and each group was assigned one of the diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). A further division within each group resulted in five replicates, each containing ten birds. The birds' performance assessment findings during the starter phase revealed significant differences (P0.05). At the finisher phase, the final body weight, body weight gain and feed intake of the birds followed the same trend as in the starter phase. Significant differences were observed in final body weight gain and feed intake of the birds. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of the birds in the finisher birds. T5 had the lowest FCR (feed conversion ratio) values. Significant differences were recorded in the live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentages and primal cut-parts (breast, thigh, drumstick, back, wing and abdominal fat) of the birds. T5 had the highest values in all the traits measured (2510.43g, 2243.51g and 89.37%, 40.07%, 29.55%, 30.56%, 28.51% and 23.05% for live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, breast, thigh, drumstick, back and wing respectively).The abdominal fat of the broiler chickens were significantly affected.