The Effect of Diet Supplementation with Ginseng (Panax) Root and Juniper Leaf Powders on The Productive Performance of Broiler Chicks
The Effect of Diet Supplementation with Ginseng (Panax) Root and Juniper Leaf Powders on The Productive Performance of Broiler Chicks
Mohammed Jard Kadhim
ABSTRACT
Herbal supplementation of poultry diet induce significant growth and performance of chicks. This trial was conducted to assess the effects of ginseng (panax) root and juniper leaf powders on the broiler chick’s productive traits. Trial was carried out under completely randomized desing with a total of 240 unsexed one-day-old Ross 308 strain chicks. Treatments included a control diet (standard feed) without any herbal additive (T1), standard feed with juniper leaf powder added @ 5 g/kg (T2), standard feed with ginseng root powder added @ 5 g/kg (T3) and the fourth treatment (T4) of a combination of T2 and T3. The chicks were raised under ideal conditions for the breeding temperature, light, and humidity. Each treatment contained 60 chicks and was divided into two equal repeats with 30 chicks for each repeat, Birds’ growth characteristics, i.e. feed consumption, feed conversion factor, weight gain and average live body weight, were recorded weekly for five consective weeks. Results showed that the average live body weight and weight gain rate of chickens increased significantly (P < 0.001) from 2270 to 2420 g and from 2207 to 2376 g, respectively when their feed was supplemented with ginseng root and juniper leaf powders. Moreover, the rate of feed consumption for treatments with ginseng alone or in combination significantly decreased (from 4225 to 3913 g), concomitantly with a significant increase of the feed conversion factor (1.60 to 1.98 g feed/gm weight gain) for these two treatments. These overall findings suggest the potential incorporation of ginseng and juniper plant powders as herbal feed additives as they can enhance animal production, particularly that of poultry.
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