Effect of Garlic (Allium Sativum) Supplementation on Growth Performance and Serum Biochemistry of Broiler Chicks

The current study was conducted in the poultry shed of Livestock Research & Development, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, Pakistan. A total of 120, day-old straight run broilers were procured from Big Bird Pvt. Ltd. The study was comprised of four experimental groups (G.S-0%, G.S-0.3%, G.S-0.6%, G.S-0.9%) having three replicates in each group with ten birds per replicate. Powdered garlic was supplemented @ 0, 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% to different experimental groups in their basal diet. Zero level was kept as control group. Dietary intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) along with serum biochemical profile of birds were studied. The data in respect of feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were recorded for each week whereas serum biochemical profile was determined after the completion of the research trial. Dietary intake, was found statistically similar during all the four weeks and overall basis. Weight gain and FCR were statistically not different during the 1st three weeks of research trial whereas significantly different (p?0.05) at 4th week and also for overall growth performance in terms of above-mentioned parameters. Significantly improved weight gain was observed for treatment group (G.S-0.9%) whereas significantly improved FCR was found for group (G.S- 0.6%) as compared to control group. Overall antibody titer against Newcastle disease was non-significant among the experimental groups except G.S-0.6% which was statistically greater (p?0.05) than control. As far as, antibody titer against infectious bursal disease (IBD) is concerned, experimental group (GS-0.9%) shown significantly improved (p?0.05) antibody titer in comparison to other experimental groups. Garlic supplementation has shown positive impact on serum biochemical profile. Significantly lowered total serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels were recorded for group (GS-0.6%) as compared to other groups. Garlic supplementation @ 0.6% in basal diet is recommended for better and economic production in meat type birds