EFFECT OF TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA) SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH AND BLOOD CHEMISTRY OF BROILERS

To access the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) supplementation on growth and blood chemistry of broiler chickens, seventy five day old straight run coloured synthetic broiler chicks were randomly divided into 3 groups (25 chicks per group). Group I served as control (without any supplementation), where as birds in groups II and III were supplemented with 0.5% and 1.0% Curcuma longa powder respectively and the trail was lasted for 7 weeks, during which weekly body weight changes were recorded. Blood samples were collected at the end of the experiment to study the blood profile of birds. The results indicated that addition of Curcuma longa powder caused significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight gain and blood Hb concentration. On the other hand Curcuma longa supplementation had non- significant (P>0.05) effect on blood biochemical parameters of bird. The present results confirmed the beneficial effects of dietary Curcuma longa powder to improve body weight and Hb concentration of broiler chickens.