Effect of feeding graded levels of ginger on performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of ginger root powder additives on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chicks. One hundred and sixty unsexed one day-old (Ross308) broiler chicks were used in this study. Ad libitum feeding system was applied during the two rearing periods, starter period for 3weeks and finisher period for other 3weeks. The broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups, each represented a treatment (40 birds/treatment) with 4 replicates in a completely randomized design. Four experimental rations were formulated to meet requirement for essential nutrients for broiler chicks according to NRC (1994) recommendation. These rations contain four graded levels of ginger root powder 0%, 0.25%, 0.50% and 0.75%. The experiment lasted for six weeks. Results showed no significant (P≥0.05) differences in overall feed intake, live body weight and weight gain among all dietary treatments. Birds fed on 0.50% ginger showed significant (P≤0.05) deterioration in feed conversion ratio FCR and protein efficiency ratio PER during finisher and overall period when compared with control. However, birds fed on 0.25 and 0.75% were not significantly (P≥0.05) different versus control. Dietary treatments had no significant (P≥0.05) effect on most carcass characteristics and internal organs. The results showed that the