Comparative and Combined Effect of Turmeric and Ginger Supplementation on Growth, Carcass Characteristics, Blood Parameters and Economics of Productions in Broiler Birds

Day-old broiler chicks (n=182) were distributed randomly in seven dietary treatments. The treatments included dietary supplementation of turmeric powder (TP) and ginger powder (GP) alone or in combination, each at 0.5 and 1.0 percent levels, i.e., T₁ (control), basal diet alone; T₂, 0.5% TP; T₃, 1.0% TP; T₄, 0.5% GP; T₅, 1.0% GP; T₆, both TP and GP each at 0.5%; T₇, both TP and GP each at 1% levels. The experiment was continued for 35 d. At 35d, significantly (P<0.05) higher BW gain was recorded in T₃ followed by T₆; the cumulative BW gain also significantly (P<0.05) higher in T₃ followed by T₆ and T₂. There were, however, no differences (P>0.05) evident among groups T₁, T₄, T₅ and T₇. No significant difference was found in feed consumption among treatment groups. The FCR was significantly (P<0.05) lower in T₃ and T₂. The carcass traits of broiler birds at 35d of age did not differ significantly except for the breast yield. The weight of liver and abdominal fat differed significantly (P<0.05) among the treated groups. Except for the serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, all other blood parameters including serum levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, calcium and phosphorus did not differ (P>0.05) among birds of all dietary treatments. The margin of profit/kg LW was recorded higher in T3 and lowest in T7 group. It is concluded that supplementation of 1% turmeric powder in broiler ration improved the BW and feed efficiency, and lowered total cholesterol and triglyceride levels accompanying abetter economics of production.