Effect of incorporating garlic (Allium sativum) powder and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) extract in an energy deficient diet on broiler chicken performance, nutrient utilization, haemato-biochemical parameters, carcass characteristics, and economics of production

The present study was carried out to determine the impact of phytobiotics on the performance of broilers. Vencobb-400 day old broiler chickswere offered low energy density (LED) feed supplemented with phyto-additives viz. 0.5% garlic powder (GP5) and 0.1% cinnamon extract (CE1). Thegrowth performance,nutrient digestibility, gut health, carcass characteristics and economics of broiler production were determined. Phyto-additive supplementation namely GP5, CE1 and combination of GP5+CE1in low energy density feed positively influenced growth, nutrient utilization with better feed to gain ratio (FCR). Overall CE1 supplementation in LED feed exhibited higher N retention exhibiting higher live weight gain and FCR as compared to combination of GP5+CE1. Higher dressing percentage, thigh yield and low abdominal fat with leaner meat was recorded on CE1 and GP5+CE1 supplemented groups. The organoleptic factors viz. flavor and overall acceptability of the meat was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by addition of CE1 and combination of GP5+CE1. Economics of broiler production revealed lower cost forproducing per kg meat by CE1 supplementation whereas it was highest in GP5+CE1 supplementation.It could be concluded that, CE1 supplementation to LED broiler diet positively alter the bird's physiological parameters, N retention and enhanced the dressing percentage, organoleptic qualities of meat, and reduced the cost of producing broiler meat by 5.6%.