Exploratory Animal and Medical Research · Published 2025-01-01 · DOI 10.52635/eamr/15.1.46-56
This study aimed to assess the impact of adding Terminalia arjuna bark and Moringa oleifera leaf powder to the diet on the growth, carcass quality, and meat composition of Uttara chickens. A total of 72-day-old chicks were divided into six treatment groups, each with three replicates of four birds. The birds were fed different diets: T0 (control diet), T1 (Basal diet + 1% Arjuna bark + 1% Moringa leaf), T2 (Basal diet + 1% Arjuna + 2% Moringa), T3 (Basal diet + 1% Arjuna + 3% Moringa), T4 (Basal diet + 1% Arjuna + 4% Moringa), and T5 (Basal diet + 1% Arjuna + 5% Moringa). The results showed that the average body weight was notably higher (p<0.01) in T3 in contrast to T0 , T4 and T5 during the 8 to 20-week period. Additionally, T3 demonstrated a significantly better (p<0.01) feed conversion ratio than T0 , T4 , and T5 in the same timeframe. No significant difference found in feed intake. In comparison to T0 , T4 , and T5 , T3 exhibited considerably higher (p<0.05) dressing (%), eviscerated yield (%), and edible yield (%). Compared to T0 , T4 , and T5 , T3 ’s gizzard (%) was considerably higher (p<0.05). There was no discernible change in the growth of the digestive and lymphoid organs, shrinkage, or the yield of the heart and liver (%). Breast and thigh percentages were considerably greater (p<0.05) in T3 groups compared to T0 , T4 , and T5 . No discernible change in the drumstick, wings, neck, or back (%). Moisture and CP (%) were substantially higher (P<0.05) in T3 ’s thigh and breast muscles than in T0 , T4 , and T5 . In both the breast and thigh muscles, T3 had a considerably lower (p<0.05) ether extract percentage than T0 , T4 and T5 . Therefore, it can be said that 1% Arjuna bark and 3% Sahjan leaf had a positive impact on the growth, carcass quality, and chemical makeup of the thigh and breast muscle, suggesting that they could be useful dietary supplements.
Abstract from DOAJ. Public domain (CC0 1.0).
Read the article at the publisher →