DIETARY EFFECTS OF TULSI LEAVES AND BLACK PEPPER EXTRACT ON BROILER GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND CARCASS TRAITS

This study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the dietary effect of different levels of Tulsi leaves (Ocimum sanctum) and Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) Extract (TBE) on growth performance and carcass traits of commercial broiler. The study was conducted at the Poultry farm of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur during the period from 11 April to 08 May, 2019. A total of 96 day old broiler chicks (Lohman Meat) were randomly and equally distributed to 4 groups having 3 replicates of 8 birds each. The birds were grouped as T₀, T₁, T₂ and T₃ group with normal water (control group), 1% TBE 1ml /L of drinking water, 2% TBE 2 ml/L of drinking water and 3% TBE 3ml /L of drinking water, respectively. Body weight gains, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), mortality (%) and meat yield traits were recorded. The collected data were analyzed by using ANOVA with SPSS version 22. Feed intake (g/bird) was almost similar (P>0.05) among the dietary treatment groups. Body weight gain (g) and FCR were significantly (P<0>2 (1659.35g±2.19), followed by T₁ (1631.05g±2.52), T₃ (1590.67g±2.73) and T₀ (1472.01g±4.58), respectively. The lowest FCR was found in T₂ (1.41±0.00) and the highest FCR in T₀ (1.52±0.01), the intermediate in T₁ (1.45±0.01) and T₃ (1.46±0.01), respectively. It was found that there was significant (P<0>0.05) among the dietary treatment groups in case of heart weight (g), spleen weight (g), gizzard weight (g), thigh weight (%), head weight (g), intestine weight (g) and shank weight (g). The carcass meat weight, Carcass yield (%), breast weight and breast meat weight (%) was significantly (P<0.05) group compared to control group T₀. Liver weight was significantly (P<0.05) compared to treatment group T₂. No mortality was found among the dietary treatment groups during experimental period. Based on the result it could be concluded that 2% Tulsi leaves and Black Pepper Extract (TBE) 2 ml/L of drinking water may be used in broiler diet as growth promoter and it may also serve as an antioxidant.