Journal of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine

This study was conducted to assess the effect of Curcuma longa on growth performance, haematological and biochemical parameters of noiler birds. A total of sixty-four (64) noiler birds of both sexes with an average weight of 1974±0.03 g were randomized into four treatment groups. Each treatment group comprised of eight birds per replicate and was replicated twice. Treatment 1 (control), treatment 2 (turmeric at 10 g/kg of feed), treatment 3 (turmeric at 20 g/kg of feed) and treatment 4 (selcon forte at 0.5 g/kg of feed). Weekly body weight and daily feed intake of the birds were recorded for 6 weeks, after which daily weight gain and the feed conversion ratio were calculated. At the end of the feeding trial, blood samples were collected for hematology and biochemical parameters, whole blood was analyzed for hematological parameters while serum was used for biochemical parameters. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the daily weight gain and the feed intake of the birds in all the treatments. The packed cell volume (PCV) of birds administered 10 g of turmeric per kg of feed (T2) (35.00±1.88%) was significantly higher when compared with birds in treatments T1 (31.09±2.3%), T3 (33.17±0.79%) and T4 (31.33±2.23%). The hemoglobin value of T2 birds (11.48±0.67 g/dl) was also significantly higher than birds in the other groups. The total protein of birds in groups T2 (5.28±0.45 g/dl) and T3 (5.63±0.34 g/dl) were significantly (p<0.05) higher compared to birds in groups T1 (5.03±0.48 g/dl) and T4 (4.93±0.40 g/dl). The birds fed diets supplemented with turmeric (T2 and T3) had significantly low total cholesterol level and higher value of high density lipoprotein and reduced the level of low density lipoprotein when compared to T1 and T4 birds. It can be concluded that turmeric fed to noiler chickens have no deleterious effect and can be included in their feed at 10 g/kg.