The Effect of Zinc, Shell, and Fishbone Supplementations on Comb Width and Length of Bangkok Rooster

Abstract

The Bangkok rooster is a prestigious ornamental bird in Indonesia. Zinc and shell have an aromatase blocker effect that results in testosterone elevations. Additionally, fishbone contains rich protein for optimum biological functions. Serum testosterone regulates comb size in the chicken. This study aimed to investigate the effect of natural aromatase blockers and protein in the comb of Bangkok roosters. This experiment divided thirteen Bangkok roosters into control and treatment groups with zinc, fishbone-shell, and fishbone supplementations. The weekly comb lengthening and widening were intervals between week 0 and the measurement week in this study. The results suggested that fishbone and fishbone-shell supplementations escalated the comb lengthening. Fishbone–shell treatment significantly increased the comb lengthening in the second and fourth weeks (p < 0.05). The significant elongation change in the fishbone group only appeared in the second week (p < 0.05). Otherwise, the treatments produced lower comb widening in the roosters. Fishbone and fishbone-shell supplementation significantly caused a lower widening in every measurement week (p < 0.05). This study uncovered the effects of zinc, shell, and fishbone supplementations on reproductive phenotype in Bangkok roosters.