Influence of phytobiotics and organic acid on nutrient utilization efficiency and carcass characteristics of broiler

Abstract

A total of 120-day old straight run broiler chicks (cobb 500) were randomly assigned into four groups having three replications in each. In control group (To) only mash feed (ME- 3028 kcal/kg, CP- 22.72%) was supplied and in other groups (TN, TM, TC), control + 1% dried Neem leaf powder, Control + 1% dried Moringa leaf powder and control + 1% Citric acid were supplied respectively. The entire period for feeding trial was 28 days. At last day of the feeding trial blood and meat samples were collected. The body weight gain of broilers was observed as the highest in Tc group (p<0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and Metabolizable energy (ME) intake per gram gain (4.63) was lower (p < 0.05) in TM than the other groups of birds. Energy efficiency ratio in TM and protein efficiency ratio in TN was higher (p < 0.05) than other groups of birds. CP content was high (p < 0.05) in TN. Drip loss and cooking loss was lower (p < 0.05) in TM than other groups. Based on the findings of the present experiment, it could be concluded that, supplementation of dried Moringa leaf powder has stimulating effect on nutrient utilization and carcass characteristics of broiler and useful phytobiotics for safe and high-quality broiler meat production.