RESPONSE OF BROILER CHICKS TO DIETARY CARDAMOM (Elettaria cardamomum) AS A FEED ADDITIVE

Abstract

An experiment was carried out to study the response of broiler chicks to dietary cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) as a natural feed additive on broiler performance and  blood parameters. A total of ninety six one-day old unsexed broiler chicks (Hubbard) were used. The birds were randomly divided into four equal groups each of 24 birds with four replicates (6 birds/replicate) in a completely randomized design. Four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were formulated to meet nutrient requirements of broiler chicks as outlined by National research Council NRC .They were supplemented with four levels of cardamom (0.0%, 0.15%, 0.30% and 0.45%). The study lasted for six weeks. Parameters measured were feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), pre-slaughter weight, dressing percentage and some blood parameters (glucose, total protein and total lipids). Results showed that the dietary cardamom supplementation had significantly (P<0.05) increased feed intake and body weight gain. Birds fed 0.15% and 0.45% cardamom obtained the highest body weight gain. Final body weight, feed conversion ratio FCR and internal organs percent were not influenced by cardamom.  Moreover, the treatment had significantly (P<0.05) decreased blood total lipids and glucose. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) effect on blood total protein