EFFECTS OF DIETARY TURMERIC (CURCUMA LONGA) RHIZOME POWDER ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND FEED EFFICIENCY IN BROILER CHICKENS

Antibiotic resistance has become an alarming issue in recent years, and the poultry industry is seeking alternatives in broiler feed to enhance growth and produce safe meat to meet consumer demand. Turmeric is one of the natural feed additives with the potential to improve broiler health and productivity. The present study was conducted to evaluate feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency under different dietary treatment levels. A total of one hundred twelve (112) day-old chicks were used and divided into four treatment groups: T1, T2, T3, and T4, containing 0%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1% turmeric powder, respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with seven birds per replicate in a completely randomized experimental design. A significant effect of turmeric powder on feed intake was observed (P < 0.05), whereas non-significant effects were observed on weight gain, body weight, feed conversion ratio, and feed efficiency at different levels of Curcuma longa powder supplementation. The experimental flocks were uniform and showed low variability in five parameters; however, the coefficient of variation (CV) for feed efficiency ratio was slightly higher at approximately 2.94%. The results of this experiment suggest that supplementation with 0.75% turmeric powder enhances feed intake in broiler chickens.