Selected herbal plants showing enhanced growth performance, ileal digestibility, bone strength and blood metabolites in broilers

• Main Authors: Abdul Hafeez, Muhammad Sohail, Altaf Ahmad, Muqader Shah, Salahud Din, Imad Khan, Muhammad Shuiab, Nasrullah, Walikhan Shahzada, Muhammad Iqbal, Rifat Ullah Khan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2020-01-01
• Series: Journal of Applied Animal Research
• Subjects: broiler; performance; digestibility; bone strength; blood profile
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2020.1818569
• ISSN: 0971-2119; 0974-1844

The effect of Ajwain, Fenugreek and black Cumin (AFC) in different concentrations on the performance, ileal digestibility, blood metabolites and bone strength of broiler was studied. A total of 360 birds were divided randomly into control (Group A), basal diet + 1.5 g/kg AFC (Group B), basal diet + 3.0 g/kg AFC (Group C), basal diet + 4.5 g/kg AFC (Group D). Feed intake was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in birds fed with AFC at the rate of 4.5 g/kg at starter and finisher phases, however, body weight and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (P < 0.05) improved in birds fed with AFC at the rate of 3.0 g/kg. Crude protein, crude fat and nitrogen-free extract were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in group fed with 3.0 g/kg AFC. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in birds fed with 3.0 g/kg AFC while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the same group. No significant changes were found in the bone quality parameters between the control and treatment groups. From the results of the present study, we suggested that an herbal mixture of AFC at the rate of 3.0 g/kg improved the body weight, FCR, digestibility and blood profile of broiler.