EFFECT OF GARLIC (ALLIUM SATIVUM) SUPPLEMENT ON PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of garlic supplement on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. One hundred and twenty day old chicks of mixed sexes were randomly allotted into four treatment groups, thirty birds per treatment and were replicated three times with ten birds per replicate in a complete randomized design. Four test diets were formulated and designated as Diet 1 for control, while Diet 2, 3, and 4 with inclusion levels of garlic powder at 0g/kg,10g/kg, 15g/kg and 20g/kg respectively. The study lasted for eight. The parameters investigated were performance Cut-up parts and Visceral organs. Data generated were subjected to analysis of variance and significant differences separated using Least Significant Difference. The results on performance showed that there were no significant (P>0.05) difference in the parameters measured except percentage dressed weight that showed significant difference with T1 having a higher value of 64.33% closely followed by T4 with 62.60% , T2 with 61.10 % and the least value was T3 with 54.53% , highest percentage of mortality were recorded on birds fed with T 1 (10.00%), followed by diet 2 (6.67%),T 3 (6.67%) and T4 recorded the least of percentage of mortality with the value (3.3%) results obtained for cuts off parts also showed non significant difference except wings and backs that were significantly different across the treatment groups. The same trend of non significant difference were observed in Visceral organs of broiler chickens fed garlic supplement except abdominal fat and intestine that were significantly different across the treatment groups. From the result obtained , Birds fed with inclusion rate of garlic at T4 had the lowest mortality rate, this may have great impact on production of the broilers chicken and can be recommended as the best diet to be fed to broiler chickens.