Abstract
This work aimed at investigating the potential as a growth enhancer of different dietary concentrations of turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn.) as an alternative to oxytetracyline (OTC) as antibiotic and as comparable to mannan oligosaccharide for broiler chicks. A total of 252 Hubbard broiler chicks at one day of age were distributed randomly in a straight run experimental design among six treatments, each replicated seven times, with six unsexed chicks per replicate. The basal diet was administered without supplements (control group) or supplemented with turmeric at 0.5, 1, and 2 g/kg diet, or with mannan oligosacride (MOS) at 1 g/kg feed or with OTC at 50 mg/kg feed. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality traits, blood biochemical constituents, antioxidant status and red blood cell (RBCs) were investigated. Turmeric supplementation at 1 g/kg feed significantly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) and European production index compared to the control group and MOS groups. The results indicated that turmeric can be used at 1 kg/t feed as a phytogenic feed additive as an alternative to OTC or MOS without negative effects on the productive and economic traits of broilers. There were no differences from using OTC and MOS, while there was an increase in the European production efficiency index and the broilers' health status. longa