EFFECTS OF TULSI, BLACK PEPPER AND CLOVES EXTRACT AS A GROWTH PROMOTER IN BROILER

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of tulsi (Vitex negundo) leaves, black pepper (Piper nigrum) and cloves (Curcuma longa) extract (TBC extract) as a growth promoter in broilers. A total of 20 day-old broiler chicks were purchased from Nourish Hatchery and after seven days of acclimatization the chicks were randomly divided into two equal groups A and B. No vaccination schedule was practiced and no antibiotics were added in ration of either group A or group B. Group A served as control without any supplement while group B was supplemented with TBC extract @ 1ml/litre in drinking water. Weekly observations were recorded for live body weight gain upto 6^th weeks and blood tests were performed at 21^st and 42^nd day to find out hematological changes between control A and treatment B group. The food conversion ratio (FCR) in group A was 1.94 while that in group B was 1.87.  The result suggests that TBC extract played a vital role in gaining body weight in the treatment group B which gained significantly (p <0.01) higher body weight (1660±32.80 gm) in comparison to control group A (1550±21.20 gm). For the hematological parameters (TEC, PCV, Hb and ESR) no significant change was observed between treatment A and control B group suggesting no side effects of herbal extracts in broiler. From the findings of the present study it can be concluded that the TBC extract is economic and safe in broiler production.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjvm.v10i1-2.15644