GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND COST BENEFITS OF BROILER CHICKENS FED DIETS CONTAINING GARLIC AND GINGER POWDER AS ADDITIVES

Abstract

This study evaluated the growth performance and cost benefits of broiler chickens fed diets containing garlic powder, ginger powder or their combination as additives at 0-4weeks of age. A total of 240 day old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments formulated to meet nutrient requirements at the starter phase. Control diet contained neither garlic nor ginger powder. The second diet contained garlic powder at 5g/kg diet, the third diet contained ginger powder at 5g/kg diet while the fourth diet contained a combination of garlic and ginger powder each at 2.5g/kg diet. The birds were randomly allotted to the four dietary treatments in six replicates and fed ad libitum for four weeks. Data were collected on growth performance and cost estimations were made on diets and feeding. Higher (p<0.05) feed intake, cost per kilogramme diet, cost of feed per bird and cost per kilogramme weight gain were recorded among birds fed diets containing the feed additives. Feed conversion ratio was lowered (p<0.05) in birds fed the control diet. Mortality rate was reduced (p<0.05) with inclusion of garlic or ginger at a rate of 5g/kg or their combination at 2.5g each/kg in diet of starter broilers. The study concluded that garlic powder or ginger powder (5g/kg diet) or their combination (2.5g each/kg diet) could be explored as feed additives at the starter phase of broiler chickens production where organic growth as well as effective reduction in mortality is paramount.