Effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel powder supplementation on performance, carcass characteristics and haemato-biochemical parameters of broiler chickens

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics, haemato-biochemical parameters and return over feed cost in broiler chickens. A total of 240 unsexed day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated into four treatment groups with four replicates in each. The control group (T1) was fed with a standard basal diet as per BIS (2007). Groups T2, T3, and T4 were fed the basal diet with 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 % level of PPP, respectively for six weeks. Results revealed that the mean final body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in T4 as compared to the other dietary treatments. The feed conversion ratio was better in T4 and T3 groups as compared to the T1 and T2 groups. There were no differences in carcass characteristics among the dietary treatments. The serum concentration of triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly reduced in T4 and T3 groups as compared to the control. The return over feed cost was higher T3 and T4 groups than the control group. Thus, it can be concluded that dietary supplementation of 1% pomegranate peel powder improved growth performance, production efficiency, blood lipid profile and return over feed cost in broiler chickens.