Production Response of Guinea Fowls Provided Fenugreek and Kalonji Seed Powder

Abstract

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and kalonji (Nigella sativa) seeds have a wide range of anti-microbial, therapeutic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic and growth promoting effects. A study was conducted on 100, day old guinea fowls (Pearl variety) for a period of 12 weeks to study the effect of fenugreek and kalonji seed powder supplementation on the growth performance of guinea fowls. The experimental guinea fowls were randomly divided into five treatment groups viz. group T1 control, T2 ( 2.0% fenugreek seed powder), T3 (1.0% kalonji seed powder), T4 (2.0% fenugreek + 1.0% kalonji seed powder) and T5 (1.0% fenugreek + 0.5% kalonji seed powder), each group with two replications consisting of ten guinea fowls each. The respective fenugreek and kalonji seed powder supplementation as per the groups was done for 84 days, excluding the guinea fowls of control group which were given feed without any supplementation. Growth parameters were studied in three different period viz. starter (1st-4th week), grower (5th-8th week), finisher (9th-12th week) and overall period (1st-12th week). The results of the trial indicated that inclusion of the fenugreek and kalonji seed powder through diet in guinea fowls at all levels increased body weight gain, reduced feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio (P≤0.05) with best performance during all the periods was noted in T4 group of guinea fowls provided diet containing 2.0% fenugreek +1.0% kalonji seed powder. It can be concluded that combination of fenugreek (2%) and kalonji (1%) seed powder through feed may be advised to improve growth performance of guinea fowls.