Effect of Sargassum wightii on Growth, Carcass and Serum Qualities of Broiler Chickens

The basic feed supplemented with Sargassum powder (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) provided more amount of essential amino acids, long chain fatty acids and minerals necessary for the growth of poultry than the basic feed. The growth promoting ability of Sargassum increased from 1% to 2% and then there was ste ady state, which is reflected in the weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion rate, carcass qualities and serum parameters of poultry. Sargassum powder had increased the growth to gain about 1265g more weight compared to the control and the supplementing effect was the maximum at 2% Sargassum powder. The feed intake per bird increased from 4647g at 1% Sargassum powder to 4813g at 4% Sargassum powder while it was 3042g in the control group. The feed conversion rate increased from 51.5 to 51.8 instead of 33. 9% in the control. Sargassum treatment increased the liver weight from 2.26% to 2.30%, the heart weight from 0.53% - 0,45%, the gizzard from 1.76% to 1.83%, the intestinal weight from 210.2 to 226.18%, the leg proportion from 3.77% to 4.57%, the breast weigh t from 28.26% to 30.27%, the thigh weight from 13.37% to 14.68%, the drumstick from 14.16% to 15.28% and the dressing from 70.32% to 81.12%. The maximum supplementary effect was noted at 1% and 2% of the Sargassum powder. Dietary treatment of broiler chick s with Sargassum powder significantly (P<0.05) decreased plasma cholesterol and globulin while increased the total serum protein, albumin, calcium, phosphorus and triglyceride compared to control. The 1% Sargassum gave 1.8 fold profits while 2%, 3% and 4% Sargassum powder gave 1.95 fold profit compared to the control. Meat qualities of chicks fed with 1% and 2% Sargassum were superior to the meat of poultry fed only with the basic feed.