Effect of Feeding Rosemary and Fenugreek Alone and in Combination on the Dry Matter Digestibility and Nitrogen Balance of Broiler Chicks

Veterinary Practitioner Vol. 18 No. 1 June 2017

EFFECT OF FEEDING ROSEMARY AND FENUGREEK ALONE AND IN COMBINATION ON THE DRY MATTER DIGESTIBILITY AND NITROGEN BALANCE OF BROILER CHICKS#

M. Meena1, T. Sharma2, R. Nehra3, Nirmala Kumari4 and J. Saini5 Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Science Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner-334 001 Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT Revised Received on: 11.12.2016 Accepted on: 09.03.2017

In the present study a feeding trial of six weeks followed by metabolism trials were conducted, using 300 broiler chicks (cobb-400) in 5x2

factorial design. The ten treatments were designated as C i.e. control group fed on unsupplemented diet and B1, B2 and B3 treatment group supplemented with 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% level of Rosemary in the experimental broiler starter and finisher ration, respectively. Likewise G1, G2 and G3 treatment group were supplemented with 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% level of Fenugreek in the experimental broiler starter and finisher ration, respectively. B1G1, B2G2 and B3G3 treatment groups were supplemented with 0.5%, 1% and 1.5% level of both Rosemary and Fenugreek in combination, respectively. All the treatment groups were further divided in two replicates namely R1 and R2. Significant effect of dietary treatments i.e. incorporation of Rosemary, Fenugreek and their combination at different levels on dry matter digestibility and nitrogen balance were observed. The findings of present study in respect with all parameters included in the study indicated that incorporation of Rosemary and Fenugreek alone and in combination could be effectively used in the ration of broiler chicks to improve dry matter digestibility and nitrogen balance. The optimum levels adjudged from present study were 0.5% for Rosemary, 1.0% for Fenugreek and 1% for Rosemary and Fenugreek combination.

Key words: Broiler, Fenugreek, Rosemary, dry matter digestibility and nitrogen balance.

Introduction degeneration, antispasmodic, diuretic, stomach relief sedative, In developing countries, the increasing cost and decreasing also improve meat quality (Smet et al., 2005) and egg quality supply of traditional feedstuffs are expected to constrain the future (Galobart et al., 2001). Fenugreek is cultivated worldwide as a expansion of poultry production. As a primary source of animal semi-arid crop and its seeds are a common ingredient in dishes protein, the poultry sector offers a valuable repository to bridge the from the Indian Subcontinent. It is a good source of dietary protein, gap between demand and the availability of balanced nutrition. fatty acids which are predominantly linoleic, linolenic, oleicand Poultry production, particularly broiler production is the quickest palmatic acids and 45-65% total carbohydrates with 15% of way to increase the availability of high quality protein for human galactomannan (Schryver, 2002). It contains minerals, B complex, consumption. Some valuable nutrients in feed are wasted because iron, phosphates, PABA (Para- Amino Benzoic Acid), vitamins (A, the birds are not able to utilize them. This may be due to several D), lecithin and choline that help to dissolve cholesterol and fatty reasons like lack of digestive enzymes, insufficient time for digestive substances (Dixit et al., 2005). activity, sub clinical infection and inadequate processing of feed ingredients. Therefore, feeding aspect needs to be carefully Materials and Methods guarded to allow the growth of industry. To ensure more net return Three hundred-day-old, unsexed, apparently healthy broiler and to minimize high expenditure on feed are the main challenges, chicks (Cob-400 strain) were wing banded, individually weighed for which many research strategies have been practiced such as and randomly divided into ten groups of 30 chicks each having introducing feed supplements and feed additives (Khan et al., almost similar average body weight. Each group of 30 chicks was 2011). Feed additives are generally used to improve feed intake further subdivided into two groups having 15 chicks each and and to increase the growth rate in broilers (Fadlalla et al., 2010, were reared in 20 separate, clean and disinfected deep litter brooder Bali et al., 2011 and Abouelfetouhand Moussa, 2012). The use of houses (5x2 factorial experimental design). Routine vaccination chemical products especially hormones and antibiotics, may cause against Ranikhet Disease (F1 strain) and Infectious Bursal th th unfavourable side effects due to their residues in meat. Moreover, Disease was carried out on 7 and 14 day of procurement of day there is evidence indicating that these products could be considered old chicks. Identical standard managemental practices regarding as pollutants. Various plants extracts can improve feed conversion brooding, feeding, watering and disease control etc. were followed ratio, increase carcass quality, decrease the market age of broiler for each group. Commercially available readymade broiler starter and reduced their rearing cost (Javed et al., 2009). Rosemary, and broiler finisher rations were procured and feed additives such needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple or blue flowers, belonging as Rosemary and Fenugreek were supplemented. The Rosemary to the Lamiaceae family, it contains phenotic acids; phenolic and Fenugreek were supplemented @ 0.5%,1% and 1.5% alone diterpenoid bitter substances; titerpenoid acids; flavonoids; volatile and in combination in the experimental broiler starter and finisher rations subjected to 10 treatment groups i.e. C, B , B , B , G , G , oil and tannins (Newall, 1996). It improve digestion and growth 1 2 3 1 2 G , B G , B G , B G with 30 chicks in each. Each group of 30 performance, prevent brain aging, protection against muscular 3 1 1 2 2 3 3

1# Part of M.V.Sc. Thesis of first author, M.V.Sc Scholar, Dept. of Animal Nutrition, email: [email protected]; 2Professor and Head; 3Assistant. Professor and 4,5Veterinary Officer. 113 Veterinary Practitioner Vol. 18 No. 1 June 2017 chicks was further subdivided into two subgroups having 15 chicks Table 1: Effect of Rosemary and Fenugreek on dry matter digestibility and balance study each and were designated as CR1, CR2, B1R1, B1R2, B2R1, B2R2, B R , B R , G R , G R , G R , G R , G R , G R , B G R , B G R , Main Dry matter Total N 3 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 2 1 2 2 3 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 2 N-voided N-balance B G R , B G R , B G R , B G R The experimental starter and effects digestibility intake 2 2 1 2 2 2 3 3 1 3 3 2. g/d/chick g/d/chick finisher rations contained 22.40 and 21.10% C.P., respectively. Dry % g/d/chick bc a d matter digestibility and nitrogen balance studies were conducted B1 64.03 2.97 1.23 1.74 b d c using 5 chicks from each group for 7 days at the end of feeding B2 60.44 3.22 1.61 1.61 trial. During this period the five birds from each treatment subjected B3 59.59ab 3.01 1.63d 1.38b b a c to balance study were transferred to metabolic cages. Polythene G1 61.47 3.05 1.32 1.73 bc c c sheet of appropriate size was spread over the dropping trays for G2 64.52 3.20 1.52 1.68 b a c collection of mixed excreta in each group. The chicks were offered G3 62.01 2.89 1.24 1.65 a weighed amount of experimental ration at a fixed morning hour ab a c B1G1 60.03 3.01 1.30 1.71 (9.30 AM) every day during the trial period. The mixed droppings B G c b d were collected at the end of every 24 hours and pooled to get the 2 2 68.62 3.40 1.36 2.04 b c c total excreta voided during the trial period. Daily feed intake was B3G3 61.55 3.11 1.48 1.63 calculated after deducting the left over from the feed offered. C 56.30a 2.89 1.54d 1.35a Representative feed samples were drawn from the bulk, finally SEM 0.664557 0.077608 0.012981 0.01179 ground and stored in sample bottles for analysis. The group wise a, b, c, d - Means superscripted with different letters aliquots from droppings after thorough mixing with the help of within a column differ significantly from each other. spatula were drawn for dry matter and nitrogen estimation separately. For nitrogen estimation, samples in duplicate were Regarding excretion of nitrogen in droppings, maximum excretion preserved in 5% sulphuric acid in wide-mouth glass stoppered was noticed in B3 followed by B2, C, G2, B3G3, B2G2, G1, B1G1, G3 bottles and kept in refrigerator. Dry matter determination of excreta and B1. In respect of nitrogen balance, which is important for overall was done in duplicate for each group by keeping the weighed well being of broilers, the statistical analysis results and excretal material in an oven at 85oC till constant weight was comparison of means revealed highest retention in B2G2. Nitrogen obtained. balance in B1 and B2G2 was though comparable with each other but significantly higher than rest of the groups and nitrogen balance Results and Discussion in C was significantly lowest. These results of study in text in terms Besides the physiological form, quantitative and qualitative of nitrogen balance suggested that supplementation of Rosemary attributes of feed, the effect on dry matter digestibility is essential and Fenugreek improved the retention of nitrogen. parameter to assess the nutritional worth of the phytobiotic or feed additive such as Rosemary and Fenugreek used to improve feed References utilization in living system. The digestibility of dry matter was Abouelfetouh AY and Moussa NK (2012) Enhancement of antimicrobial determined in various treatment groups to determine the effect of activity of four classes of antibiotics combined with Garlic. supplementation of Rosemary and Fenugreek alone and in Asian J. Plant Sci. 11: 148-152. combination in ration of broilers on digestibility of feed. Bali SKD, Anupam K, Dipanwita P, Biswas S and Bhattacharyya D (2011) A comparative study on the antioxidant and antimicrobial Dry matter digestibility propessrties of Garlic and Coriander on chicken sausage. Int. The mean values of digestibility coefficient of dry matter for J. Meat Sci. 1: 108-116. various treatment groups have been presented in Table 1. The Dixit P, Ghaskadbi S, Mohan H and Devasagayam T (2005) Antioxidant properties of germinated Fenugreek seeds. Phytother. Res. 19 results showed highly significant (P<0.01) effect of (11): 977-983. supplementation of Rosemary and Fenugreek alone and in Fadlalla IMT, Mohammed BH and Bakhiet AO (2010) Effect of feeding combination. The digestibility was recorded to be highest in B2G2 Garlic on the performance and immunity of broilers. Asian J. followed, which was comparable with B1 and G2 but significantly Poult. Sci. 4: 182-189. higher than other groups. The lowest digestibility was recorded in Galobart J, Barreoeta AC, Baucells MD, Condony R and Ternes W (2001) C, i.e. control group. These results showed positive effect on dry Effect of dietary supplementation with Rosemary extract and matter digestibility due to incorporation of extract from plant in the alpha-tocopheryl acetate on lipid oxidation in eggs with omega- diet of broilers. 3 fatty acids. Poult. Sci. 80: 460-467. Javed M Durrani FR, Hafees A, Khan RU and Ahmad I (2009) Effect of Nitrogen balance aqueous extract of plant mixture on carcass quality of broiler The overall intake and balance of nitrogen, which could be chicks. ARPN J. Agri. Biol. Sci. 4: 37-40. Khan FU, Assad Ullah, Sajid-ur-Rehman, Shabana Naz and Naureen Rana considered as the indices of overall well-being of the animal were (2011) Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) effect on estimated in all the treatment groups as g/d and the mean values muscle growth of broiler chicks. Res. Opinions Anim. Vet. Sci. have been depicted in Table 1. All broilers in various treatment 1(1): 1-3. groups were found to have positive nitrogen balance. The statistical Newall C (1996) Herbal Medicines. A guide for health care professionals. analysis of variance revealed highly significant (P<0.01) effect of London: Pharmaceutical Press. supplementation of Rosemary and Fenugreek in terms of nitrogen Schryver T (2002) Fenugreek. Total Health. 24: 42-44. voided and nitrogen balance but non-significant in nitrogen intake. Smet K, Raes K, Huygebaert G, Haak L, Arnouts S and De Smet S (2005) Further, on comparison of means significant differences were Influence of feed enriched with natural antioxidants on the oxidative stability of broiler meat. European Symposium on the recorded among treatment groups with maximum intake in B G . 2 2 quality of poultry meat. Doorwerth. 17: 99-106.

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