Abstract
A research investigation aimed to assess the impact of different levels of turmeric rhizome powder as a feed additive on broiler chickens' growth performance, carcass characteristics, and nutrient digestibility coefficient. The study utilized two hundred and fifty-day-old chicks of the Abor Acre strain. Five diets were formulated for both the starter and finisher phases, incorporating turmeric rhizome powder at levels of 0g, 100g, 200g, 300g, and 400g per 100kg of feed. These diets were designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The birds were separated into five groups of fifty birds each, and each group was assigned one of the diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). A further division within each group resulted in five replicates, each containing ten birds. The birds' performance assessment findings during the starter phase revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in final body weight, body weight gain, and feed intake among the birds. T5 had the highest values for the three parameters. The values for the feed conversion ratio of the broiler chickens at the starter phase were 1.80, 1.79, 1.69, 1.64 and 1.59 for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. T5 recorded the lowest value though statistically similar (P>0.05). At the finisher phase, the final body weight, body weight gain and feed intake of the birds followed the same trend as in the starter phase. Significant differences were observed in final body weight gain and feed intake of the birds. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the feed conversion ratio of the birds in the finisher birds. T5 had the lowest FCR (feed conversion ratio) values. Significant differences were recorded in the live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentages and primal cut-parts (breast, thigh, drumstick, back, wing and abdominal fat) of the birds. T5 had the highest values in all the traits measured (2510.43g, 2243.51g and 89.37%, 40.07%, 29.55%, 30.56%, 28.51% and 23.05% for live weight, dressed weight, dressing percentage, breast, thigh, drumstick, back and wing respectively).The abdominal fat of the broiler chickens were significantly affected (P<0.05) by the diet. T4 also had the highest value 80.48%. The nutrient digestibility coefficient of the experimental birds was significantly affected (P<0.05) by the diet. This suggests that incorporating turmeric rhizome powder up to 400g in the diet of broiler chickens improved their growth performance, carcass quality, and nutrient digestibility coefficient.