EFFECT OF USING SOME NATURAL HERBS THROUGH DIFFERENT FEEDING SYSTEMS ON THE PERFORMANCE OF BROILER CHICKS DURING SUMMER SEASON.

Hemat A.Abdel-Mageid1, M.O Abd- Elsamee2, A.S. Abd El-Hakim1, and M.A.EL-Manylawi2

1- Anim. Production  Research Institute, Dokki, Egypt.

2- Anim. Production  Department, Fac. of Agric., Cairo Univ., Giza,  Egypt.

SUMMARY

A total number of 450 day old unsexed Arbor Acres broiler chicks were used in this study to evaluate the effect of three different feeding systems with or without four natural herbs (added individually) on the performance of broiler chicks during summer season (28.8-37.4°C). At 7 day of age, chicks were distributed randomly into 15 experimental treatments in (3 x 5) factorial design. Three equal groups (150 chicks each) were fed three different feeding systems (FS1, FS2, and FS3). The first feeding system (FS1) was the ad libitum feeding (24 hours), the second (FS2) based on fasting for 6 hrs (from 11.00 - 17.00), while the third feeding system (FS3) was based on skip a half day feeding (12 hrs feed + 12 hrs fast) from 7.00 - 19.00. Each group of 150 chicks was sub-divided into 5 equal groups with three replicates of 10 birds each and fed on one of different four supplementation (a) 0.5 % ginger (Zingiber officinale), (b) 0.3 % thyme (Thymus vulgaris), (c) 0.5 % liquorice (Glycyrrizea glabra), (d) 0.3 % turmeric (Curcuma longa) or (e) without supplementation as a control group.

The results indicated that, the FS2 and FS3 improved the feed conversion ratio significantly (P<0.01) during the finisher and the over all period compared with FS1. On the other hand, the chicks fed the FS3 recorded significantly (P<0.01) lowest feed intake. Supplementation of turmeric, thyme or liquorice to the experimental diets improved significantly (P<0.01) chicks performance parameters. Significant differences were detected between different feeding systems and herbs supplementation on the digestion coefficients of DM, OM, CP and NFE while digestion coefficients of EE respond significantly (P<0.01) only for herbs supplementation. The dressing %, abdominal fat %, giblets %, total edible parts % and intestinal weight % were not significantly affected by any of the feeding systems. On the other hand, significant differences (P<0.01) were detected between herbs groups on dressing %. The highest significant (P<0.01) value of T3 was recorded for the FS2 fed chicks. While, chicks reared on FS3 recorded significantly (P< 0.01) the lowest value of T4. No mortalities due to any of treatments were observed during the experimental period. All treatments improved the relative economic efficiency values, except ginger through the first feeding system.

The results indicated that using of FS2 and FS3 either individually or with turmeric, thyme and liquorice improved all performance parameters and economical efficiency of broiler chicks.

Keywords: broiler, performance, feeding system, herbs, summer season.