CARCASS AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF BROILER CHICKENS ON SUPPLEMENTED TURMERIC (Curcuma longa) DIETS

Abstract

Two weeks old Ross 308 brooded broiler chicks were used to assess the effects of broiler diets supplemented with turmeric (Curcuma longa) powder on carcass and serum biochemical parameters of the chickens. The chicks were randomly selected on basis of weight equalization and allocated into 4 equal groups that were respectively assigned as follows to four treatment diets; 1, 2, 3 and 4. Diet 1 contained no turmeric powder while in Diets 2, 3 and 4, turmeric was added at 100, 200 and 300g/100kg feed. The birds were raised in a deep litter house for six weeks during which they were offered feeds and water without restriction. On the last day, four birds were randomly picked per replicate for carcass and serum biochemical analysis and the data collected were subjected to the one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Live-weight and carcass values obtained were significantly affected (P<0.5) by dietary treatments. Live-weight, slaughtered weight, dressed weight and percent dressed weight values of birds offered the turmeric free diet and supplemented turmeric diets 3 and 4 were comparable with significantly lower values recorded in diet 2. Respectively, values in the turmeric free diets were 3.95, 3.80, 3.70 kg/bird and 93.62%/bird. Eviscerated weights were however significantly higher P<0.05) o n the turmeric fed chickens. Values ranged from 3.05 in the non-turmeric diet to 3.23kg/bird in the 200g turmeric diet. Values recorded for total protein, albumin and globulin were not significantly affected (P>0.05). Observed values were statistical comparable, but numerically higher in diet 1; 3.99, 1.91 and 2.08g/dl. Values of triglycerides, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDH) decreased with increasing levels of turmeric supplement. Respectively, values were 36.12, 118.41 and 52.81mg/dl in the turmeric free diet and 32.33, 91.03 and 20.61 mg/dl in the 300g turmeric diet. High density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly (P <0.05) increased in the turmeric fed chickens, being lowest (24.41mg/dl) in diet 1 and higher, 72.11, 73.03 and 70.45mg/dl respectively in diets 2, 3, and 4. This study showed that turmeric powder could be used successfully to produce quality broiler chickens containing lower total serum cholesterol but higher HDL. The higher the level of HDL in cholesterol the better the diet. HDL is a valuable food nutrient for health.