EFFECT OF GRADED LEVELS OF GARLIC (Allium sativum L.) SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND NUTRIENT DIGESTIBILITY OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

The effect of graded levels of garlic (Allium sativum l.) supplementation on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens was investigated. One hundred and twenty day-old broiler chicks of Arbor acre strain were assigned to four treatment groups each replicated thrice with ten chickens per replicate in a completely randomized design. Chickens in treatment one were fed the control diet while other treatment groups were fed diets containing graded levels of garlic (Allium sativum l.) supplementation. Fresh garlic bulbs were processed by removal of the outer coating using a knife, after which they were chopped into small pieces, shade dried and later ground into fine particles. Garlic was supplemented in the diets at graded levels of 0.0, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% in treatments T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively. Parameters measured were initial weight, final weight, weight gain and feed intake. Feed cost per gain was calculated while mortality was recorded as it occurred. At the end of the finisher phase, apparent digestibility was determined using three chickens selected from each replicate. Results showed that there was a non-significant (P<0.05) increase in weight gain across the treatments. However, it improved by 3.8% at 2.0% level of garlic supplementation. Feed intake increased by 3.24% at 1.5 and 2.0% levels of garlic supplementation. Nutrient digestibility significantly (P<0.05) increased as the levels of garlic supplementation increased in the diets. The study concluded that garlic can be supplemented in broiler diets at 2.0% for its slight improvement in growth performance.