Effect of Turmeric Rhizome Powder on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

In order to study the effect of turmeric rhizome powder (TRP) on performance and carcass<br><br>characteristics of broiler chickens, an in vivo experiment was conducted. A corn- soybean meal based diet<br><br>containing levels of TRP (0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75%) was used. In a completely randomized design with four<br><br>treatments of five replicates each, and 10 chickens per replicate, 200, Ross male broiler chickens from 0-49<br><br>days were studied. For performance, feed intake and body weight gain recorded weekly. For carcass<br><br>characteristics, at the end of experiment at 49 days of age, one chicken from each replicate of treatments<br><br>were weighed, slaughtered and the relative weight of liver, pancreas, spleen, heart and abdominal fat pad<br><br>measured. By Roche colour fan, skin colour was also measured. In all weeks the amounts of feed intake,<br><br>weight gain and feed to gain ratio in broilers fed treatments were not significantly different. Addition of TRP<br><br>into the diets significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased relative abdominal fat pad and heart weights to live body<br><br>weight. Under the conditions of this experiment, it was concluded that TRP may improve carcass quality and<br><br>leaner meat would be predictable. Use of TRP as a reducing heart weight factor, may show some improve<br><br>in circulatory and respiratory systems that needs to be clarified.