Effect of Fenugreek and Black Cumin Seeds as Feed Additives on Blood Biochemical Profile and Performance of Broilers Yatoo M.A., M.V.Sc. Scholar, Sharma R.K., Assoc. Professor, Khan Nazam*, M.V.Sc. Scholar, Rastogi Ankur, Asst. professor, Pathak A.K., Asst. professor Division of Animal Nutrition, F.V.Sc. and A.H., SKUAST-J, R.S. Pura, Jammu-181102, J&K (India) *Present address and address for correspondence: drnazamkhan@yahoo.com
Online published on 7 November, 2012. Abstract An experiment was conducted on one hundred day-old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb-strain) to study the effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) and black cumin (Nigella sativa) seeds as feed additives on the performance and blood biochemical profile in broilers. The birds were randomly divided into four groups (25 birds/group). Chicks were housed group wise in electrically heated brooder cages (0–3 wk) and transferred to battery cages (4–6 wk). The experimental diets were: no feed additive (T1), 1% fenugreek (T2), 1% black cumin (T3) and 0.5% each of fenugreek and black cumin (T4). The feed intake was higher (P<0.01) in all the treatment groups compared to control with highest intake in T2. The body weight gain of all the treatment groups was (P<0.01) higher than control with highest gain in T3. The FCR was higher (P<0.05) in T3 (1.89) in comparison to T1 (2.03) and T2 (2.05), but the values were statistically similar for T3 and T4 (1.97) groups respectively. The DM digestibility of T3 and T4 was higher (P<0.05) as compared to T1. The Hb (g/dl), PCV (%), total protein (g/dl) and albumin (g/dl) were higher (P<0.05) in T3 and T4 as compared to T1 and T2 groups respectively. However, the nitrogen retention, carcass characteristics and sensory attributes were similar in all the groups. It is concluded that the supplementation of black cumin in the diet of broilers either at 1% level (T3) and combination of fenugreek and black cumin (T4) improved the body weight gain, FCR, Hb, PCV, serum proteins and reduced serum cholesterol levels. Top Keywords Fenugreek, black cumin, broilers. Top |