IMPACT OF GINGER MEAL AS AN ALTERNATIVE/SUPPLEMENT TO SYNTHETIC PREMIX ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMIC RETURNS OF BROILER CHICKENS

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the impact of incorporating ginger meal (Zingiber officinale) in broiler chicken diets as a substitute to synthetic premix on both growth performance and the economy of production. One hundred and twenty day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly allocated into five treatment groups: T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5. Each treatment consisted of twenty four birds further subdivided into three replicates of eight birds each. Over an eight-week period, the birds were fed one of five formulated diets containing ginger powder at levels ranging from 0.00 to 0.20g/100kg, following a completely randomized design. At the CONCLUSION of the study, three birds per treatment were selected to assess growth performance and economic factors. The findings indicated that substituting synthetic premix with ginger meal, particularly at a moderate inclusion rate (T3: 0.1g/100kg), led to significant improvements (P < 0.05) in growth parameters such as weight gain per kg, enhanced feed conversion efficiency and was more cost-effective.