Effects of Early Feed Restriction and Dietary Inclusion of Some Spices on Performance of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

A 3×4 factorial experiment was conducted with three early feed restriction regimens (F0 without feed restriction, F1 feed restriction for 12 hr and F2 feed restriction for 24 hr) and four dietary inclusion of spices [G0 without inclusion of spices, G1 garlic (Allium sativum L.), G2 red hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and G3 Moleita baladi (Sonchus oleraceus)] to study the effect of early feed restriction and dietary incorporation of some spices on broiler performance. A total of 12 treatments were employed and each treatment was replicated three times with 10 chicks each (Ross 308). Feed consumption (FC), weight gain (WG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were recorded. Carcass weight, weights of some internal organs and cuts were measured. Some blood constituents were determined. The results showed that FC, WG and FCR were affected by experimental treatments (p ≤0.01). The greatest FC was reported with birds exposed to F0 regimen. The birds fed on diets containing hot pepper had the greatest value of feed consumption, while the birds fed on diets without spices had the lowest value. The same pattern of results was observed with WG. Birds exposed to early feed restriction for 24 hr (F2) had the heaviest WG. Feed conversion ratio was improved when birds exposed to early feed restriction. The best FCR was reported with birds fed on diets without spices. Carcass weights were influenced by early feed restriction (p ≤0.05). Internal organs weights (liver, spleen, pancreas and gizzard) were not affected by experimental treatments. There was no significant effect (p ≥0.05) of feed restriction on blood protein. However, the dietary spices affected the blood protein. Blood triglyceride was influenced only by spices. These results indicate that dietary inclusion of hot red pepper and adoption of F2 regimen for broiler chicks improved the weight gain and FCR, while F1 had the best carcass relative weight when compared with their counterparts of treatments.