Performance, cholesterol profile and intestinal microbial population in broilers fed turmeric extract.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of turmeric extract on performance of broiler chicks. A total 180 one day broiler chicks with an average weight of 40±11 g were randomly divided into 3 treatments. Each treatment was further divided into 5 replicates. Chicks were fed a basal diet as control group and 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg of turmeric extract in other two treatments (T1, T2). At the end of trial (42 days), 4 birds form each treatment were weighed and slaughtered at 42 day of the experiment was evaluated. Data showed that feed intake (FI) increased significantly in T1, T2 in comparison to control (P<0.05). Body weight gain (BWG) and total body weight were also significantly higher in treated groups. Triglyceride and cholesterol level decreased significantly in T1, T2 group. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) level decreased significantly and high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels increased in all of the treated groups. Antibody titre increased significantly by using turmeric in the diet compared to the control. Data of microbial population showed that E .coli population decreased and lactobacillus increased by using the two treatments levels. We concluded that the use of turmeric extract at the present levels enhanced body performance, cholesterol profile, antibody titre and some useful microbial population in broiler chicks.