Feeding Effect of Garlic (Allium Sativum) and Moringa (Moringa Oleifera) Leaves on Growth and Biochemical Parameters in Broilers

Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementing garlic and moringa on growth performance, blood bio chemical and carcass characteristics in commercial broiler production. 180 day-old Cobb 400 chicks were purchased from Venky’s India Limited. Chicks were divided into 6 treatment groups comprising of 3 replicates containing ten birds in each replicate. T1 group of bird was fed with basal or control diet; T2 and T3 groups were given basal diet along with supplementation of garlic @ 0.5% and 1%, respectively; T4 and T5 group birds were given basal diet with moringa @ 1% and 2%, respectively; Treatment 6 was supplementation of basal diet with garlic and moringa @ 1%+2% for 6 weeks duration. It was observed that supplementation of garlic and moringa improved the average body weight of birds in all the treated groups. T6 groups of birds with combined supplementation of garlic and moringa showed the highest body weight almost in all the weeks. There was additionally better growth compared to control for treatment groups T3, T4 and T5 enhanced with garlic (1%), moringa (1%), and moringa (2%) for treatment groups. The body weight gain was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the treatment group T6 which was enhanced with garlic and moringa (1%+2%) when contrasted with control groups during 6 weeks. The birds fed on garlic and moringa supplemented diet showed significantly improved (P<0.05) feed utilization efficiency compared to other treatments. The FCR was compared among the treatments and revealed higher value in control groups fed without supplementation. At the end of feeding trail, blood samples were collected randomly from one bird from each replicate. Blood biochemical parameters like total serum protein, uric acid, cholesterol, ALP, SGOT and SGPT was estimated in collected blood serum. All the blood biochemical parameters were found to be within normal range. After 6 weeks of age, 4 representative birds from each treatment group were randomly selected and slaughtered to study carcass characteristics traits. Eviscerated weight % and ready to cook yield % varied significantly (P<0.05) among different treatment groups. Back, neck and wing, except thigh% were found similar (P>0.05) in the treatment groups. For internal organs, heart, gizzard and spleen except liver % remained similar. Periventricular wt. (%) varied significantly among treatments. It was concluded from the study that supplementations of garlic and moringa up to the level of 1 and 2 %, either separately or in combination in basal feed of broiler diet improved the growth performance and feed utilization in commercial broiler without affecting blood biochemical and carcass quality traits.