Abstract
ABSTRACT This study was conducted to assess the effect of Citrus aurantiifolia seed powder (CASP) on growth performance, ileal digestibility, blood profile, and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. A total of 600 (43.54 ± 0.85 g) day-old mixed-sex Cobb 500 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 6 treatments with 5 replicates each and 20 birds per replicate using a completely randomized design for 42 days. The treatments comprised negative control, T – (standard diet), positive control, T + (standard diet + oxytetracycline 50%) and a standard diet supplemented with 0.25% (T0.25%), 0.5% (T0.5%), 0.75% (T0.75%) or 1% (T1%) of CASP respectively. The results showed that birds in the T0.5% treatment had a significantly lower feed conversion ratio (P < 0.01). The improvement in crude protein and phosphorus ileal digestibility were associated with increase in CASP. Beyond 0.5% of CASP, the serum glucose and protein decreased (P < 0.05). Cholesterol concentration decreased with CASP in the diet (P < 0.01). Supplementation of CASP improved (P < 0.01) total antioxidant capacity, and glutathione peroxidase activities levels with best values for the T0.5% and T0.75% group. It was concluded that CASP at 0.5% and 0.75% in the diets of broiler chickens can enhance feed utilization and overall performance.
Published Version
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