Garlic (Allium sativum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum): performance, nutrient digestibility and blood metabolites in broilers

Abstract

The effects of the inclusion of a selected herbal mixture consisting of fenugreek, garlic and coriander (FGC) in different levels of growth performance, digestibility of nutrients and blood biochemicals in broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were studied in a 42-day experiment on 360 broilers, which were grouped into 4 treatments. The dietary treatments consisted of a basal diet (control) and the same diet with the addition of FGC at rates of 1%, 2%, and 3%. The results showed that the treatment groups exhibited a significantly lower feed intake (P < .01) than the control group. However, significantly (P < .05) higher weight gain was recorded in birds fed with a 1% and 3% mixture of FGC. Significantly (P < .05) higher digestibility of nutrients was found in birds fed with a 1% herbal mixture. The results showed that the blood cholesterol profile was significantly (P < .05) lower in birds fed with a 1% mixture of herbs. In conclusion, an improvement in performance, nutrient digestion and lipid profile was observed in broilers when the herbal mixture of fenugreek, garlic and coriander was added to their diet at the rate of 3%, However, blood lipid profile was better when in response to 1% mixture.

Keywords

• Broiler
• digestibility
• feed additives
• performance
• blood