Growth Performance, Carcass Quality, Organ Weights and Haematology of Broilers Fed Graded Dietary Levels of Turmeric (Curcuma longa l) Powder as Feed Additive

The growth performance, carcass qualities, organs weight and haematology of ninety-six (96) day-old Agritech broiler birds fed Turmeric powder additive were evaluated. The birds were reared on deep litter system and were randomly allotted to four (4) treatments of graded dietary levels (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5%) of Turmeric powder denoted as; T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Each treatment with 24 birds was also replicated thrice with 8 birds per replicate in a Completely randomized design for 56 days. Performance indicators measured included feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, carcass and organ weights and haematological parameters. Results showed that turmeric additive elicited significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) across treatments. Bodyweight gain (2113.00g) and feed conversion ratio (2.02) were significantly higher in broilers fed diets with 1.5% turmeric powder (T2) than those on other treatments. Turmeric additive also improved the carcass and organ weights as well as the haematological parameters in which the erythrocytic and leukocytic counts were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.05) in T2, T3 and T4 except for the control. However, the overall positive effect of turmeric powder in broiler diet was observed in T2 (1.5%) following improved feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio and this inclusion level is advocated while further research in other avian species available in warm wet regions of Nigeria is suggested.