EFFECT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF PLANT MIXTURE ON CARCASS QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKS

A research study was conducted to find the effect of Zingiber officinale, Carum apticum, withania somnifera, Trigonella Foenum Graecum, Silybum marianum, Allium sativum and Berberis lyceum, on the growth performance of broiler chicks. A total of 240 day old chicks were purchased and were reared for 35 days in summer month. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Total numbers of chicks were divided into four groups (A, B, C and D) each having 60 chicks. Each group was further subdivided into three groups (replicates) each having 20 chicks. Aqueous extract of these plants was mixed at the rate of 5, 10 and 15 ml/lit with water offered to group B, C and D, respectively while group A served as a control. Mean weight gain, dressing percentage, breast weight and leg weight were significantly high (P<0.05) in group C with lower FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio) while mean feed intake was significantly high in control group. It was concluded from this study that these locally available plants if offered as supplement to broiler may result in improvement of broiler efficiency