Abstract
The prohibition of artificial antibiotic growth promoters in poultry feed due to their implication in drug-resistant microflora and consumer preference for naturally produced foods has led to the quest for utilizing natural additives in poultry feed which enhance productivity without compromising bird health. Therefore, the impact of incorporating Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Leaf Meal (TLM) at varying inclusion levels on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens were assessed. One hundred and eight (108) Ross 308 strains of day-old chicks were allotted four (4) treatments including: 0%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% per 100g of feed. The treatments were replicated three times with nine (9) birds per replicate and the experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design. Weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio data were collected for seven (7) weeks. Two (2) birds from each replicate were selected at random, weighed, slaughtered, and dressed for carcass parameters viz live weight, eviscerated weight, dressing percentage, head, neck, wing, and thigh, drumstick, and organ weights. Data obtained were subjected to ANOVA. The final weight and weight gain of the birds improved when treated with the highest level of TLM (1.5%), while TLM did not influence dressed weight and dressing percentage. The live weight and eviscerated weight were also enhanced as the levels of TLM increased while drumstick, back, wing, and neck weights of TLM-fed birds decreased. The thigh and breast were not affected. The gizzard, kidney, and lungs followed the same trend, while the liver, proventriculus, and intestines were not affected. The inclusion of TLM at 1.5% in broiler chicken diet improved growth without adverse effects on the carcass and internal organs of the birds. Therefore, incorporating TLM into broiler feed may improve productivity and meet consumer’s quest for residue free-meat. Hence, it is recommended for broiler producers.